Cristiano Ronaldo has shrugged off suggestions that he could retire from international duty with Portugal.
The forward, who has been one of the stronger sparks to a slow start for Manchester United this season, is fast approaching his 37th birthday.
But even as the years clock up, he says he has no intention of stepping back from the international stage, while adding that he believes that United can still claim trophies at Old Trafford this term.
“Why? I think it’s not my time yet,” Ronaldo told Sky Sports News when asked if he was considering international retirement. “It’s not what people want, it’s what I want.
“It’s when I feel that I’m not capable to run, to dribble, to shoot, if the power is gone … but I still have that stuff so I want to continue because I’m still motivated. It’s the main word – [motivated] to do my stuff, to make people happy and my family happy and the fans and myself. I want to put the level even higher.
“You speak about Portugal but in the Champions League I have the most goals, the most wins, assists … everything. But I want to carry on. I like to play football. I feel good to make people happy.”
Ronaldo will hope to help United to victory against the odds this weekend, when they play arguably their biggest game of the campaign against Liverpool.
The Portuguese will cross paths with the Red Devils’ historical rival in a north-west derby that could have a huge effect on the trajectory of the Premier League title race.
International comrade Bruno Fernandes, though, faces a race to be fit for the clash at Old Trafford.
