Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing to a close one of the most celebrated and enduring careers in the history of the global game after 23 years in the colours of his country.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday through a heartfelt video message shared across his social media platforms, confirming that he would hand over Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt following the November international break.
Ronaldo departs the international stage as the most-capped player and highest goalscorer in men’s international football, having amassed 234 appearances and scored 146 goals since making his debut as a teenager in August 2003.
Announcing his decision, the Al-Nassr star said the jersey he wore for more than two decades never truly belonged to him alone.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged exclusively to me. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all over the world. Today the time has come to pass it on to the future.” he said.
Ronaldo said the decision to retire was driven as much by emotion as by reason. “It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart,” he said.
Cristiano Ronaldo added that, when he looks back on his 23-year international career, he remembers far more than goals, trophies and records, recalling instead the millions of Portuguese supporters at home and abroad whose backing accompanied him throughout the journey.
In another emotional passage, Ronaldo said the greatest achievement of his career was not the records he broke but the opportunity to represent his country.
“I spent my life working to be the best player in the world. Today I realise that the greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world.”
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Ronaldo’s international career began in August 2003 and evolved into a golden era for Portuguese football where he captained the national team to its first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and later helped the country secure UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
He featured at six European Championships and six FIFA World Cups, records that underlined both his longevity and consistency at the highest level. Over more than two decades, he became the face of Portuguese football and one of the sport’s defining figures.
The retirement announcement comes weeks after tensions emerged between Ronaldo and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus during the previous international window. Reports indicated that the veteran forward left the national team camp following a disagreement over his role in the squad and later received disciplinary sanctions from the Portuguese Football Federation.
However, Ronaldo’s farewell message focused largely on gratitude rather than controversy as he thanked teammates, coaches, support staff, family members and fans who accompanied him throughout the journey.
He reserved special appreciation for Portuguese supporters across the world, recalling the pride of hearing the national anthem and representing the country on football’s biggest stages.
“Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for having believed in me. Portugal will always be in me. Forever.”
While his international career has now ended, Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from club football and is expected to continue playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
His departure from the Portugal national team closes a remarkable chapter that redefined what was possible in international football, leaving behind a legacy measured not only by records, goals and trophies, but also by a generation of supporters who watched one of the sport’s greatest players carry the hopes of a nation for more than two decades.
THE PUNCH
