Ronaldo's 1,000-Goal Chase: VAR Denies Goal 980, Then He Quits Portugal Camp

Cristiano Ronaldo's pursuit of 1,000 career goals had its worst week yet. In Portugal's Nations League opener against Wales in Lisbon on 24 September 2026, he celebrated what looked like goal number 980, only for VAR to rule it out for offside. Portugal still won 1-0 through a deflected João Félix strike, but Ronaldo stayed on 979 and was taken off in the 67th minute.

Days later, he walked out of the national team camp in Copenhagen. Here is what happened and what it means for his 1,000-goal target.

Benched, then gone

Ronaldo did not play in Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway. Before the Denmark game, coach Jorge Jesus confirmed he would not start again, and Ronaldo left the camp a day before the match, saying on social media that he would explain his reasons in time.

Jesus denied a feud, saying the coach makes the decisions and that Ronaldo had not refused to train. Bruno Fernandes took the captain's armband, and Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen with goals from João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and Félix, keeping a perfect record after three group games.

Ronaldo gives his side of the story

In a later statement, Ronaldo said Jesus had proposed that he play only some of the window's matches and that he refused, believing the captain should travel with the team. He said he warmed up against Norway expecting to come on but never did, and that the coach's public comments broke an agreement they had made.

Ronaldo admitted he was wrong to leave, apologised to his teammates and to Portuguese fans, and said the federation should judge his actions. Importantly, he said he is not retiring from international football and will remain available if he is fit and scoring for his club. He also said he has lost trust in Jesus.

Can he still reach 1,000 goals?

Ronaldo is on 979 career goals, 146 of them for Portugal, with 234 international caps. He needs 21 more to reach 1,000. Every club and international goal counts, so the target does not depend on Portugal alone.

He plays his club football for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he has been a regular scorer. At 41, a steady run of starts there could carry him to the milestone even if his international future stays uncertain. The bigger risk is time: injuries or a drop in minutes would slow the chase.

What happens next

The Portuguese Football Federation will decide whether to take any action over his exit. If he is suspended or left out, his goals will have to come from Al Nassr. If he and Jesus repair their relationship, international matches could still add to his tally.

Frequently asked questions

How many goals does Cristiano Ronaldo have?

As of early October 2026, Ronaldo has 979 career goals, including 146 for Portugal.

Has Ronaldo retired from international football?

No. Ronaldo said he is not retiring and remains available for Portugal, though he admitted he was wrong to leave the camp.