Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he is retiring from the Portuguese national team following a record-breaking 23-year career in which he scored 146 goals in 243 appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football.
The 41-year-old sporting legend has called time on a glittering 23-year career for Portugal that has seen him score 146 goals in 243 caps – both world records.
In an emotional social media video posted on Thursday (05.11.26), Ronaldo said: “To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team.
“I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.
“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone – they are also made with the heart.
“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and memorably led the team to their first-ever trophy at Euro 2016.
He also won two UEFA Nations League titles with the national team and became the first player to score at six World Cups when he netted twice in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan during the group stages at the tournament in North America earlier this year.
Ronaldo’s Portugal career ended on a sour note, however, as he walked out on the team’s camp in September following a row with coach Jorge Jesus after being left on the bench for the Nations League game against Norway.
The former Real Madrid ace claimed that he walked out because Jesus twice “broke his word” and accused the coach of an “absolute breach of trust”.
Ronaldo was subsequently fined 255 euros (£215) by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and handed a 30-day suspension.
The FPF now says it intends to honour Ronaldo’s extraordinary career with a “fitting tribute”.
A statement read: “It is our firm and immense desire to organise, plan, participate and actively collaborate in what will always be a fitting tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo’s immense career, in which fans and the country can applaud and celebrate, once again, the player who has given us so much.”
Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football
