Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has set two major objectives for the remainder of his career with the Portugal national team. With 979 official goals in club and international competitions, Ronaldo is just 21 goals shy of reaching 1,000. He made the announcement on September 23, ahead of Portugal's League of Nations match against Wales. Ronaldo expressed his desire to achieve both milestones without prioritizing one over the other.
Ronaldo emphasized that reaching 1,000 goals is a significant target, but he does not want to make it an obsession. He is confident about achieving this goal, but wants to focus on progressing match by match. The 41-year-old forward believes that scoring his 1,000th goal with Portugal would hold special significance in his international career. However, he did not provide a specific timeline for achieving this milestone.
Ronaldo's next opportunity to make progress towards his goals will be on September 26, when Portugal hosts Wales at the José Alvalade stadium. This venue holds sentimental value for Ronaldo, as it is where he began his professional career with Sporting Portugal before joining Manchester United in 2003. Portugal's coach, Jorge Jesus, indicated that Ronaldo is expected to start the match, provided he has no issues during the final training session.
In addition to his individual goal, Ronaldo is also focused on helping Portugal defend their League of Nations title. Portugal won the inaugural edition of the competition in 2019 and successfully defended their title in 2025. Under the guidance of new coach Jorge Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martínez after the 2026 World Cup, Portugal will aim to win the competition for the third time.
Jesus has maintained Ronaldo in his first squad, but emphasized that player status will not influence his team selections. Ronaldo's continued involvement with the national team has raised questions about his long-term plans. While he announced that the 2026 World Cup would be his last, he has not set a specific date for his international retirement.
When asked about his future plans, Ronaldo simply stated that he would inform the public when he decides to retire. At 41, Ronaldo remains committed to achieving his objectives, both individually and collectively. His focus on scoring 1,000 goals and winning another League of Nations title with Portugal demonstrates his ongoing dedication to the sport.
As Ronaldo prepares to take the field against Wales, his status as one of the greatest players in football history is secure. With his sights set on 1,000 goals and another major international trophy, Ronaldo's determination and work ethic continue to inspire fans and teammates alike. The match against Wales will provide an opportunity for Ronaldo to make progress towards his goals and for Portugal to begin their League of Nations campaign.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo aims to score 1,000 goals and win the League of Nations with Portugal.
- Ronaldo is 21 goals shy of reaching 1,000 and will attempt to achieve this milestone while helping Portugal defend their League of Nations title.
- Ronaldo's international retirement plans remain uncertain, with no specific date announced.
