Cristiano Ronaldo reveals why he changed his mind about international retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo recently revealed that at one point he was seriously thinking about retiring from international football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

But one moment and one conversation changed his mind.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League opener against Wales, the iconic Portuguese footballer revealed that he seriously thought about ending his career after the World Cup setback.

Other reasons like ongoing debates regarding his role, age, and a shifting national team dynamic also forced him to retire.

But, a series of key discussions and personal reflections helped him to change his mind and stay on the team. Ronaldo held direct talks with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation and national team coach Jorge Jesus, who reinforced that he remains an invaluable asset to the squad.

“I thought about retiring from international football after the World Cup. But I spoke to the president, coach and I am still here. I am an asset, I can help,” Ronaldo added.

Ronaldo further emphasized that he still believes in his capabilities that can help Portuguese achieve their objectives as his immense contributions are not just confined to scoring goals but he wants to support young generations in this field, acting as an example both on and off-pitch.

Ronaldo is five-time Ballon d’Or winner and holds Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nation Leagues titles. He's 21 goals from 1,000 career strikes and eyes a Nations League title.