Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football. The 41-year-old announced the decision on Thursday in a long video message, ending a Portugal career of 23 years, six World Cups and a men’s record 146 international goals.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said. “I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it.” He called it a hard choice. “Some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart.”
He will keep playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He is expected to finish his club career at the end of this season. He sits on 985 career goals, chasing 1,000.
An Exit Without a Farewell Match
Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career last month with a farewell match. Ronaldo’s finale was different. His last Portugal appearance came on September 24 in a 1-0 home win over Wales in the Nations League. Coach Jorge Jesus kept him on the bench for the next game and said he did not plan to start him in the one after. Ronaldo then left the team’s training camp.
Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and the choice was his. The Portuguese federation offered “deep gratitude and immense admiration.” It called him, for many, “the greatest player of all time” and promised a tribute where fans can applaud him once more.
How He Changed Portugal
Ronaldo debuted in August 2003, replacing Luís Figo in a friendly against Kazakhstan. Portugal had never won a major trophy. It had reached only three World Cups and three European Championships.
With Ronaldo, Portugal qualified for every World Cup and every Euros. The team finished runner-up at Euro 2004 at home. It reached fourth place at the 2006 World Cup. It won Euro 2016, its first major title, and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. Its best World Cup run in his era was a quarter-final in 2022.
“There were perfect afternoons and nights,” Ronaldo said. “There were defeats that still hurt to remember. I never gave up, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.”
The Records
- First man to score at six World Cups
- 11 World Cup goals, passing Eusébio’s Portugal record of nine
- Scored for Portugal in 23 consecutive calendar years, 2004 to 2026
- First player to reach 200 men’s international caps
- Most caps in men’s international football, with 234
- Most Euro appearances (30) and goals (14)
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