Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 23-year career with the national team.
The 41-year-old forward leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, having scored 146 goals and earned 234 appearances for Portugal. Both achievements stand as international records.
Ronaldo made the announcement in an emotional video shared on Instagram, confirming that the time had come to step away from the national team.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said.
“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.”
The Portuguese Football Federation (PFF) has promised to honour Ronaldo’s contributions to the national team, insisting that his retirement will not go without a proper celebration.
The announcement comes ahead of Portugal’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Denmark at home and Wales away, with the squad expected to be unveiled on Friday.
In a statement, the federation expressed its desire to organise a fitting farewell for the legendary forward.
“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.”
Ronaldo’s Legacy With Portugal
Ronaldo’s international career featured six European Championship appearances, with Portugal finishing as runners-up in 2004 before securing their first continental title in 2016.
He also helped the country win the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and claim the trophy again in 2025.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Portugal never progressed beyond the World Cup semi-finals during his international career.
Ronaldo was appointed national team captain in 2008 and remained one of the most influential figures in Portuguese football for nearly two decades.
His retirement follows that of longtime rival Lionel Messi, who stepped away from international football during an emotional occasion in Buenos Aires in October.
Why Did Cristiano Ronaldo Fall Out With Portugal Coach?
Ronaldo’s retirement announcement comes after a turbulent period with Portugal’s head coach, Jorge Jesus.
The forward started every game during his sixth World Cup campaign this summer, where Portugal were eliminated in the last 16 after losing to eventual champions Spain.
His performances attracted criticism, with questions raised about his effectiveness at international level.
The disagreement with Jesus reportedly intensified after Ronaldo was left on the bench against Norway. He was said to be unhappy about being asked to warm up without eventually being introduced, marking his first time as an unused substitute in a competitive Portugal match since 2008.
Tensions escalated when Jesus informed Ronaldo that he would not start the Nations League fixture against Denmark. The striker subsequently left the national team camp and released a statement insisting that he was not retiring, while accusing the coach of breaking his word on two occasions.
Jesus later maintained that the door remained open for Ronaldo’s return. However, the Portuguese Football Federation fined the forward £215 and imposed a 30-day suspension, which did not affect any of Portugal’s scheduled matches.
Although Ronaldo did not directly address his disagreement with the coach in his farewell message, he acknowledged the challenges and shortcomings he experienced throughout his career.
“There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember. I made mistakes; I suffered,” he said.
“There were also moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.
“I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today I realise my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world.”
Ronaldo’s departure marks the end of an era for Portugal, with the legendary forward leaving behind a record-breaking international career, multiple major honours and a lasting impact on the country’s football history.
