Cristiano, on the threshold of 200 games with Portugal: “I will not give up on the team”

Cristiano Ronaldothat if he plays this Tuesday against Iceland will reach 200 games with Portugalsaid that he will not resign from the Portuguese team and that his path “will not end soon” as he continues to be an asset to the team, with goals and “good performances”.

“As long as I feel motivated and that all the people who are by my side want my presence, my participation and my leadership, I will not give up the team,” he said in a press conference in Reykjavíkwhere this tuesday Portugal is facing Iceland in the qualifying phase for euro 2024.

The Saudi Al-Nassr striker assured that he is still performing well and that he can “help, make goals and good exhibitions”, insisting: “I am here as long as I think I need to”.

“Making 200 international caps is not something to be taken for granted. It shows the love I have for playing with the national team. I want to continue playing, bringing joy to my family, my friends, all the Portuguese , because it’s a long road but it won’t end soon”, he insisted.

In addition, he does not rule out new titles with the Portuguese team, after winning the 2016 Euro Cup and the League of Nations of 2019. “I am reaching quite a few records and that makes me happy and with the ambition of still wanting to make a lot of history for Portugal. I am hopeful that we can win even more titles”, he stressed.

He assured that, after 20 years of playing “quinas”, he still feels “nervous” when he listens to the song, although things have changed in his experience.

“There are other reasons that are more important, because of being the captain as well, of having this generation of players who are very young and trying to be an example,” said Cristiano, who feels he still has “a lot” to give. “I like to live only in the present. Only God knows the future. But the moment is good and I want to continue,” he reiterated.

200 MATCHES IN PORTUGAL

Cristiano considered that it would be “great” to finish his 200th match, a new record that adds to his career, with a goal, but he assured that the “important” is the victory of Portugal and its path to the Eurocup .

“We know it’s a difficult game, there’s a good team, playing in front of their fans. But we have our weapons and I’m sure we’re going to do well,” he said.

Asked if playing in the Saudi League would make it harder for him to stay in the national team, Cristiano was blunt. “It doesn’t interfere at all because since I played in Saudi Arabia I came to the national team. I played three games, so it doesn’t affect. You should ask the coach this question. I’m very happy,” he it’s okay.

Cristiano played his first game for Portugal at the age of 18, a friendly against Kazakhstan in August 2003. Since then he has made 199 appearances and scored 122 goals.