Cristiano Ronaldo, the prolific scorer in men’s international football history, recently revealed that he seriously considered retiring from the Portugal national team after a challenging period following the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Despite an illustrious international career marked by 130 goals, 45 assists, and two major trophies – Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League – his experience in Qatar was a significant low point.

During the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo scored only once and was notably benched by then-manager Fernando Santos during the knockout stages. Portugal's unexpected exit to Morocco deeply frustrated the legendary forward, leading him to question his future in international football. He candidly shared the internal struggle he faced, admitting that the decision to continue was not made in isolation.

Ronaldo and his family spent weeks weighing whether his time at the highest level had come to an end. He reflected, “I’m not going to lie. In our lives, we have to put everything on the scale. We thought, we reflected, my family and I, but then we concluded that, despite the difficulties, we cannot throw in the towel. I was able to see situations from different angles. I learned a lot from that.”

Since Roberto Martínez took over as Portugal manager in January 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has experienced a significant revitalization of his international career. Under Martínez’s leadership, the 40-year-old has been incredibly productive, scoring 25 goals and providing several record-breaking moments. Even as he approaches his 41st year, Ronaldo remains a central figure in Portugal's plans for the 2026 World Cup.

While head coach Roberto Martínez maintains that every player must consistently earn their spot, Ronaldo's veteran experience and clinical finishing ability make him a crucial component of the team's strategy moving forward.