Ronaldo has NO plans to retire from Portugal duty

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 10 Jan 2023 17:43 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to play for Portugal even if Fernando Santos remains as head coach, according to reports from his homeland.

Ronaldo had a disappointing World Cup in Qatar, only scoring one goal - a penalty against Ghana in Portugal's opening Group H game - before his side were dumped out by Morocco at the quarter-final stage.

Ronaldo have been dropped to the bench in the previous game, a 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland, with Benfica youngster Goncalo Ramos hitting a hat-trick having started in his stead, and there was speculation the 37-year-old had played his last game for his country.

READ: Ronaldo retires? Cristiano’s World Cup and Chelsea 'dream over'

Ronaldo's club future remains uncertain after he was released by Manchester United following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan on the eve of the World Cup, but he has moved to quell any speculation surrounding his international one.

"Cristiano Ronaldo believes that he can continue to be useful to the national team and that is why he will not give up playing for Portugal, even if Fernando Santos remains in charge," report Portuguese daily Correio da Manha.

"The 37-year-old (who turns 38 in February) is aware that he is not in his best form, but knows that the fact that he did not do pre-season at Manchester United and did not play regularly has affected him in recent months."

READ: Three Ronaldo replacements we KNOW are on Man Utd’s shortlist

Ronaldo only started four Premier League games for man Utd under Erik ten Hag at the start of this season, and reserved some of his sharpest criticism for the Red Devils manager in the Morgan interview.

His penalty against Ghana was nonetheless his record-extending 118th goal for Portugal, and he also became the first player to score in five different editions of the World Cup. He also reiterated his dedication to the cause after the Morocco defeat.

Ronaldo: 'I'd never turn my back'

"It's not worth reacting to heat," he wrote in an Instagram post. "I just want you all to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has not changed, not for a moment. I was always one fighting for the objective of all and I would never turn my back on my colleagues and my country."

Ronaldo could be back in the Middle East sooner rather than later, with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr reportedly offering him a package worth a total of €500 million for him to see out his club career with them.