Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to return to the Portugal national team next year despite his recent walkout from the squad, Portuguese football journalist Miguel Pereira said.

Axar.az reports, citing talkSPORT, that Pereira said Ronaldo’s desire to score his 1,000th career goal while representing Portugal could be decisive in bringing him back into the national team.

“He really wanted to score the last one with Portugal the same way that Pele mounted a show when he scored his 1,000th goal, and I think he was aiming to score that goal at the end of the season in a match with Portugal,” Pereira said.

He added that “bridges are being built” between Ronaldo’s camp, manager Jorge Jesus and the Portuguese Football Federation, which remains interested in keeping the 41-year-old forward.

“I do think that Cristiano will be back for a last dance with the Portuguese side later next year,” Pereira said.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp after being left on the bench during the team’s 2-1 win over Norway, amid reports of a dispute with Jesus over his expected playing time.