How close is Cristiano Ronaldo to 1000 goals after deciding against Portugal retirement?

Cristiano Ronaldo's post-World Cup tears and a number of reports hinted that the Portugal national team legend would be hanging up his international football cleats this September. Ronaldo has claimed that he could be in his final year of football altogether with his Al-Nassr contract set to expire next summer, and a previous report said that Thursday's UEFA Nations League against Wales in Lisbon would be his final national team appearance . The 41-year-old, however, has opted against retirement and spoke Wednesday on the eve of what's expected to be his 234th cap. "I had a conversation with our president, with our coach," Ronaldo said. "I still believe that I'm able to help the national team to reach what they want, and will finish when I feel like I'm not doing anything here. MORE —  Next steps for Pochettino, USMNT | USMNT roster "I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football. This is a new young generation. But for me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games." Ronaldo later opted for some humble third-person talk in describing how it would be "beautiful" to score his 1000th career goal between club and country in a Portugal shirt. "I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that," he said. "Even when I am retired... in 10 years." How close is Cristiano Ronaldo to 1000 goals after deciding against Portugal retirement? Ronaldo has 979 goals in his career including 146 in 233 caps with Portugal and 833 for his clubs (Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr). He's scored 50, 35, and 30 goals in his full seasons with the Saudi Pro League side and has three goals in seven appearances early in this campaign. Portugal's next six games are Nations League games and there are no walkovers even if they're expected to handle Wales on Thursday. Jorge Jesus' men meet Wales, Denmark, and Norway twice during this international break, then tangle with Denmark and Wales in November. He should nab 21 goals by the end of the season but he almost certainly won't run up that total by the end of the November break and — barring an injury — he could reach his goal goal before the March international break. Should he score every other game between club and country, he'll hit 1000 in his 42nd game. Depending on how far Al-Nassr advance in a few competitions, that could come in late February, March, or early April.