Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing down the curtain on a Portugal career that lasted 23 years and produced some of the most remarkable records the sport has seen.
The 41-year-old revealed the decision in a social media post on Thursday, saying he would "hand back the number 7 shirt". The announcement came after a falling out with coach Jorge Jesus that ended with Ronaldo walking out on the national team setup.
"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.
"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 he had worked alongside during his more than two decades representing his country. "Portugal will always be a part of me," he wrote in the caption of his announcement video.
He leaves the international stage as the all-time record holder for both appearances and goals, having played 234 times for Portugal and scored 146 goals. He captained the side to its first major trophy at Euro 2016 and also helped Portugal lift the Nations League title in 2019 and again in 2025.
His final match for his country turned out to be a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales on September 24. Jesus kept him on the bench for the following fixture and said he did not plan to start him in the next one either, prompting Ronaldo to leave the training camp. Jesus later said the forward would be welcome back and that the choice to return was his.
The departure contrasts with that of his longtime peer Lionel Messi, who ended his Argentina career with a much-anticipated farewell match last month.
The Portuguese football federation responded with a statement expressing "deep gratitude and immense admiration" for his service. "Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal's profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!" it said, adding that it plans to organise a tribute "in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much".
Like Messi, Ronaldo will continue playing at club level and is expected to finish his club career at the end of this season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He remains in pursuit of his 1,000th career goal, with his tally currently standing at 985.
