Cristiano Ronaldo retiring from international football is good news for Al Nassr - and his race to 1,000 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo officially ended his international football career for Portugal on Thursday, marking the conclusion of a notable 23-year tenure with the national team. Ronaldo, who made his debut for Portugal in August 2003, scored 146 goals in 234 appearances, setting world records in the process. His retirement came after a dispute with the Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, during a recent international break.

The Portuguese federation has indicated they may allow Ronaldo to return to the national team in the future, but it appears his intention is already set.

This decision could prove advantageous for Al Nassr, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions, under contract with Ronaldo until the end of 2027. The Saudi giant, currently third in the Saudi Pro League with 28 points from 11 games, and seventh in the AFC Champions League with six points from three, stands to benefit from Ronaldo's focus and energy. With no international commitments, Ronaldo can fully dedicate himself to propelling Al Nassr to further success in both domestic and continental competitions.

Ronaldo's final season will likely be his most ambitious yet, as he aims to reach the 1,000-goal milestone. Although the task may seem more challenging without the distraction of international football, rumors suggest he has little time to achieve this goal. Ronaldo's final season promises to be significant both for Al Nassr and his illustrious career, as winning a trophy would serve as a fitting conclusion to his remarkable journey.