Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he was retiring from the Portugal national team, bringing an end to one of the most illustrious international careers in football history.
The 41-year-old said the time had come to ‘hand back the number 7 shirt’, ending his 23-year journey with the national team.
Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and later helped the country win the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
‘It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart,’ Ronaldo said in a social media announcement.
‘If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it.’
He also thanked his family, the Portuguese people, and the teammates, coaches and staff who had been part of his international career.
‘Portugal will always be a part of me,’ he wrote in the caption accompanying his announcement video.
A record-breaking international career
Ronaldo made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals, making him the men’s all-time record holder for both international appearances and goals.
A five-time Ballon d’Or winner, he also became the first player to score in six different editions of the World Cup, beginning with the 2006 tournament.
The Al-Nassr forward further shared the record for appearing in six World Cups with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, making them the only two men to achieve the feat.
World Cup dream remains unfulfilled
Ronaldo’s final international tournament appearance came at the 2026 World Cup, where he sought to win the only major trophy missing from his collection.
However, Portugal’s campaign ended in the last 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Iberian rivals Spain, who went on to win the tournament.
Despite missing out on the World Cup title, Ronaldo leaves behind a remarkable international record spanning more than two decades.
