Player reflects on critics, says ‘they’ve tried to kill me’.
Cristiano Ronaldo said he considered quitting international football after the World Cup, but confirmed he plans to play on for Portugal and hopes to reach 1,000 goals for club and country. Ronaldo, who is 21 goals shy of the milestone, accepted some critics are trying to “kill” him but is determined to carry on.
Ronaldo captained Portugal in the summer at the World Cup, where they exited to Spain in the last 16. Asked if he considered walking away from international duty, he replied: “Yes, I did.”
“I had a conversation with our president [Pedro Proenca], with our coach.”
Jorge Jesus, the Portugal head coach who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, said the 41-year-old would start in his first game in charge, against Wales in the Nations League on Thursday. Jesus also launched a defence of Ronaldo, drawing applause from many in attendance at Portugal’s City of Football complex in Lisbon.
“Cristiano is a symbol of Portugal and the national team,” said Jesus, sitting alongside Ronaldo at the Portugal federation’s campus.
Ronaldo cut a relaxed figure on stage alongside Jesus.
Asked directly about the criticism, Ronaldo preceded laughter from many in the room by replying: “I cannot be 100% honest, sometimes I have to be politically correct.”
On Thursday Ronaldo will return to José Alvalade Stadium, where he began his career with Sporting, before joining Manchester United in 2003.
“It is always a pleasure to play for the national team, to wear the colours of Portugal.”