Ronaldo stays cool on 1,000-goal hunt as Portugal meet Wales

Cristiano Ronaldo has brushed aside talk of a looming career milestone, insisting he has no obsession with scoring his 1,000th goal — even as Portugal prepare for their Nations League meeting with Wales.

The veteran forward needs 21 more goals to reach the landmark figure, a target he has spoken about openly. Ahead of Portugal’s clash with Wales, he made clear that reaching it in national colours would be the perfect end to a storied international career.

“Whenever they say they don’t want me in the national team, I will be the first one to go. When I think I am not adding anything to the team, or that I create an atmosphere, I will be the first to go. I will take my suitcase and leave. The Portuguese count on me. That’s why I’m still here … just look at the numbers, I’m sure you can make some calculations, I’m still doing well. The day they don’t count on me, no problemo, I will leave. I will always be the No 1 fan of this federation. It would be the cherry on the top of the cake to score my 1,000th goal with the national team. It would be the culmination of a beautiful story. I said I wanted to reach that target and I will reach that target. But I don’t have an obsession. If you are obsessed with something, you won’t get it … just enjoy. Carpe diem, enjoy the day.”

The Guardian’s Football Daily noted, wryly, that Ronaldo seemed “completely calm and not at all obsessing” over the 21 goals standing between him and the 1,000 mark, hours before Portugal’s Nations League date with Wales.