Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he considered stepping away from international football after the World Cup, but decided to continue after talks with Portugal's president and head coach.

The 41-year-old says he still believes he can contribute on and off the pitch and insists he will walk away when he no longer feels capable of helping the national team.

"Yes I did," Ronaldo said when asked if he had considered leaving Portugal.

"Of course, I'm always thinking on my decisions, my future, the present also.

"I'm a thinker. You have to think. This is why you see me here now. It means I will continue."

Ronaldo added: "I had a conversation with our president, with our coach. 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.

"I think I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football."

The Al Nassr forward also responded to criticism in Portugal after A Bola ran a poll which saw readers leave him out of their preferred starting XI.

"I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticise me — they've tried to kill me, but only with a shotgun," he said.

"They are dying for me not to come to the national team anymore, but I can still move away from it.

"Anyway, I am used to it. For over 20 years I have been doing this, but my memories are with people who love me."

Ronaldo currently has 979 career goals and denied being obsessed with reaching the 1,000-goal mark, although he admitted he would love to do so 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.

"I'm happy with myself. It doesn't matter if I play tomorrow, if I rest the next game, for me the most important thing is that I feel good."