At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to prove that his passion and ambition for football remain as strong as ever. Yet the Portuguese legend recently made a surprising confession — he would gladly give up club football if it meant playing only for the Portugal national team.

What Did Cristiano Ronaldo Say About His Future?

During a ceremony at the Portuguese Football Gala, CR7 shared a heartfelt statement that quickly made headlines:

“If I could, I would only play for the national team. I wouldn’t play for any other club,” said the captain of Seleção das Quinas, earning loud applause and a standing ovation from those in attendance.

Ronaldo recently lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal and remains a vital figure in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The team currently tops Group F with six points from two matches, boasting a +6 goal difference (8–2), with three goals from their iconic No. 7.

Roberto Martínez Praises His Captain

Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez also spoke at the event, highlighting Ronaldo’s continued influence on and off the pitch.

“Cristiano plays a decisive role. He’s an essential part of the team because of his experience,” said Martínez.

Ronaldo has shown full commitment to the Spanish manager’s project, maintaining his role as the team’s emotional and tactical leader.

Why Can’t Ronaldo Play Only for Portugal?

As inspiring as the idea sounds, FIFA regulations make it impossible. According to the organization’s statutes, every player eligible for international duty must have an active professional contract with a club. Without it, they cannot compete in official international tournaments.

In theory, Ronaldo could sign a symbolic deal without playing matches, but doing so would come at a major financial cost. Currently, he earns over €200 million per year at Al Nassr, and as reported by Forbes, he officially became a billionaire in June 2025, thanks to his record salary and lucrative sponsorship deals.

For now, Cristiano Ronaldo will keep dazzling fans in Saudi Arabia while leading Portugal toward another World Cup. Yet his words reveal a deeper truth — at this stage of his legendary career, his greatest motivation is not money or records, but the honor of wearing his country’s colors one more time.