Cristiano Ronaldo to Earn 234th Cap in Portugal Nations League Opener

Cristiano Ronaldo will start for Portugal against Wales at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, marking his 234th international appearance.

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will start Thursday’s Nations League fixture against Wales at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward is set to earn his 234th international cap at the home of his first professional club, Sporting Lisbon. Despite a poll by the newspaper A Bola showing readers excluded him from their preferred starting XI, Ronaldo remains in the squad after discussions with the federation president and coaching staff.

Ronaldo, who turns 42 in February, enters the match with 979 career goals. While he denied being obsessed with the 1,000-goal milestone, he expressed a desire to reach the mark while playing for his country. The veteran striker admitted to considering retirement following the recent World Cup but decided to extend his tenure, stating he still believes he can support the national team through both scoring and leadership for the younger generation.

Addressing criticism from Portuguese media, Ronaldo noted that he will continue representing the national team until he feels he is no longer contributing on the pitch. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star emphasized that he remains focused on helping the team win games, regardless of whether he plays the full match or rests in subsequent fixtures.