Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, bringing an end to his glittering 23-year career for his country after a record-breaking 146 goals in 234 caps.
The 41-year-old Portugal legend took to social media yesterday morning to confirm the decision with the caption “Portugal will always be in me.”
He won Euro 2016 with his country, as well as two Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. Portugal exited the most recent World Cup in the round of 16, beaten by eventual champions Spain.
Having made his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo played in 12 major tournaments: six World Cups and six European Championships.
The Al Nassr forward said after the tournament would be his last, later adding he would not make any rash decisions.
However, his retirement comes after a fall-out with head coach Jorge Jesus in the previous international break.
He said: “Today I finish my walk on the pitch with the national team. I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took, and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal.
“The goals pass, the cups are in museums, the records end up being beaten. But there is something that time can never erase, the place we occupy in people’s hearts.
“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.”
Ronaldo thanked his team-mates, coaches, family and supporters around the world, adding: “Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for having believed in me. Portugal will always be in me. Forever.”
He was set to be named in the Portugal squad by head coach Jesus on Friday, but Ronaldo did not want to play under the head coach after their falling out. He has not spoken to Jesus since September 30.
Portugal are top of Nations League Group A4 with a 100 per cent record. They are playing Denmark at home a week on Saturday and Wales in Cardiff on November 17.
Ronaldo publicly admitted in the last international break that he considered ending his Portugal career following the World Cup.
A statement on Instagram revealed that Ronaldo had written his retirement statement only to be talked out of it by the president of the Portuguese Football Federation Pedro Proenca on the plane back from North America.