Cristiano Ronaldo: "I know that many people already want me to leave..."

Many considered his chapter with Portugal finished after playing in his sixth World Cup. Cristiano , however, still has "gas in the tank"... and remains the main attraction of the new national team managed by Jorge Jesus —he joined him last season at Al Nassr and they won the Saudi Pro League — as they begin a Nations League that he has already lifted twice.

'On the eve of the first match against Wales , he was tasked with appearing at the press conference and, as is usually the case, he didn’t leave a stitch unsewn. "I think I had never spoken with so many people... My objective is twofold: goal number 1000 and winning the Nations League. It is a new era and we must congratulate the work done by the Spanish national team coach despite all the attacks he received".'

' Jorge Jesus will be the one to take over from the Spanish coach and, for Cristiano Ronaldo , "it was a perfect choice". "He brings a different atmosphere, different ideas and a different language. As the coach said, many have already worked with him, which makes things easier. Tomorrow we have a difficult match".'

He also sent a message to those most critical of his staying on with the national team. "I can't be completely honest... I have to be politically correct. Something I usually say is that I have always been very well received, but this was one of the years in which I felt the most affection. I understand that there are some media outlets trying to kill me, but only with a shotgun. And even so, I dodge the bullet".

This season has marked the start of his 25th as a professional. But it was from the age of 30 that he "learned to live in the moment." He again insisted that "it is very possible that this will be his last year" and said he will let people know "when the time comes." Managing his workload is essential at this stage of his career, and he guaranteed that "he will not play all four full matches."

He did, in fact, make himself fully available to Jorge Jesus. "I believe I make it to the national team because I make the difference at my club. I'm available for whatever the coach needs, whether that's to play, come on as a substitute, or not play... I know the coach is counting on me, and I'm not here because of my résumé, but because of what I do at my club."

'It will not be just any match for Cristiano , since it will mark his return to Alvalade . "It is special because this is where I started playing football. Returning to the place where I began is very beautiful. After so many years stepping onto the pitch, it still feels like the first time." He will try to keep closing the gap in his race toward a thousand goals. He knows "that he will reach it... but it is not an obsession".'

He would like to cap it off, of course, with the national team... and he feels he is still contributing. But he is clear that, "when I feel that I'm not doing anything, I'll pack my bags." "I only think about the present... I know many people want me to leave now, but my motivation comes from the people who still want to see me." He admitted that he thought about retiring after the World Cup . "I'm always thinking about my decisions. But I chose to continue. I spoke with the president and the coach, and they are counting on me."