Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his decision to retire from the Portugal national team following the November international break, bringing his 23-year international career to an end.
The 41-year-old forward confirmed the decision in a social media video, saying he would ‘hand back the No. 7 shirt’ after the November fixtures.
Ronaldo leaves behind an illustrious legacy, having captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016. The record-breaking striker also helped the country secure UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
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Reflecting on his decision, Ronaldo acknowledged the emotional difficulty of bringing his international career to a close. “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,” the Portugal Captain remarked.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also expressed gratitude to supporters for standing by him throughout his journey, adding: “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.”
Ronaldo thanked his family, the Portuguese people, and the teammates, coaches, and staff who had been part of his 23-year journey with the national team. “Portugal will always be a part of me,” the veteran player captioned the announcement video.
Since making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo has made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals. Both figures are world records in men’s international football, making him the most-capped male international player and the highest goalscorer in the history of the men’s game.
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