Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he considered stepping away from international football after the World Cup.The Portuguese superstar endured yet more World Cup heartbreak in the summer as his nation were dumped out by Spain.The World Cup has remained out of reach for RonaldoGettyRonaldo led the line throughout, but they were no match for eventual champions La Roja, who saw them off in the round of 16.Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game, and Roberto Martinez departed.Martinez had already announced that he wouldn’t be staying on as manager of the Portuguese national team, but it was another failure for Ronaldo and co.But new gaffer Jorge Jesus has called up the 41-year-old for this extended international break. Portugal are in action four times over the three weeks, starting off against Wales in the Nations League.And ahead of that contest at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Ronaldo was asked if he’d considered calling it a day.His response was very honest as he said: “Yes. I considered stepping away. I am always thinking about my future. I’m a thinker. This is why you see me here.“I had a conversation with our president and our coach. I believe I can still help the national team reach to where they want. Also outside of football. This is a new generation, a young generation.”He added: “The critics will always be there… the most important thing is I know who I am. I know why the young kids especially love Ronaldo.“I will continue to do that. I will continue to do that when I retire in ten years… I’m a happy person”.Ronaldo’s legacy with the national team won’t ever be surpassed but some feel he should call it a dayHe also made it clear that he’ll do whatever Jesus requires of him, even if it means he’s not on the pitch. Ronaldo said: “Whatever the coach needs from me with the national team, whether that means playing, coming off, coming on, coming off again, or even not playing at all… I am available.“The pride I feel in representing Portugal is greater than that of any other international player”.And for Ronaldo, there are two things left he’d like to achieve; winning the Nations League and reaching 1000 career goals.On that, he said: “The missions now are two: winning the Nations League and reaching 1000 career goals”.Continuation of an eraAs it stands, the Al Nassr striker has appeared an incredible 233 times for Portugal and has scored 146 goals.Ronaldo grabbed three goals at the World Cup to extend his record of scoring in every oneGettyThis makes him the highest goalscorer at national level in men’s professional football.In terms of honours, he has the European Championship and Nations League to his name.But the World Cup has more than likely evaded him, given he’ll be 45 by the time the next one rolls around.He has scored 11 times across the six World Cups that he’s played in.But Ronaldo refuses to deny that he could go on and on, saying: “Will this be my final chapter? Maybe, I don’t know. This could be my final season. But I don’t know.“If my body allows me to, and if my mind does too, and if I’m still in good shape, then I don’t know. I don’t know what will happen”.The race to 1,000 goalsThat 1,000 career goal mark is getting closer and closer for Ronaldo.The forward is on 979 career goals for club and country, and he has three for Ange Postecoglou’s Al Nassr this season so far.But if you look at his previous scoring rate in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has scored over 30 in each of his years there.So, if he sticks to that rate, the 1,000 goals target will fall at some point this season.And he can get there a bit quicker with a solid opening to the Nations League.Portugal take on Wales, Norway on two occasions as well as Denmark with their first match against Wales on Thursday night, kick-off 7:45pm.