Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his illustrious 23-year career with the national team.
Ronaldo retires as the leading scorer and appearance-maker in men’s international football, having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances since making his Portugal debut in 2003.
He captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016, with Eder scoring the winning goal against hosts France in the final after Ronaldo had been forced off through injury. He also lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy twice, in 2019 and 2025.
Ronaldo had considered retiring from international duty following Portugal’s round-of-16 exit at this year’s World Cup but was persuaded to continue by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
However, he abruptly left the national team’s camp during the last international break, accusing new head coach Jorge Jesus of breaching his trust after being left on the bench throughout a Nations League victory over Norway.
Ronaldo also accused Jesus of failing to read a series of pre-agreed points regarding the decision to leave him out of the starting line-up. He was subsequently handed a 30-day suspension by the FPF on October 19.
Ronaldo’s farewell message
With Portugal scheduled to face Denmark and Wales in the Nations League on November 14 and 17, respectively, the suspension appears to rule out a farewell appearance for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who announced his decision in an emotional video statement posted on Instagram on Thursday.
Ronaldo said: “The time 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 the responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world. Today, the time has come for me 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 started in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.
“I made mistakes, I suffered, there were times where I could not 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.
“If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals made you embrace someone or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it.
“I leave with my head held high, proud of the path I have taken and knowing I gave everything I had for Portugal. I’ll never stop being one of you.
“I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today, I learn that my greatest achievement was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also retires as the only player to have scored at least 10 goals at both the FIFA World Cup (11) and the European Championship (14), with his tally at the latter tournament remaining a competition record.
He became the first player to score at six different editions of the World Cup this year, netting twice in Portugal’s group-stage victory over Uzbekistan. He is also the oldest player to feature in a World Cup knockout-stage match, having achieved the feat at the age of 41.
Ronaldo ends his international career with three major international trophies: the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
