Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 23-year career with Portugal that included a European Championship title and the record for the most goals in men's international soccer.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement Thursday through a video message on social media, confirming that he would no longer represent his country.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said.
He described wearing Portugal's famous shirt as both a privilege and a responsibility, explaining that the decision to step away was not easy.
“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”
Ronaldo's international career began in August 2003, before Euro 2004. Over more than two decades, he became one of the most influential figures in Portuguese football and established records that have defined the modern international game.
He is expected to continue playing at club level with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where he is pursuing the milestone of 1,000 career goals. He currently has 985.
Portugal Plans Tribute to Its Legendary Captain
The Portuguese Football Federation responded to Ronaldo's announcement with a statement expressing its “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for his contribution to the national team.
The federation credited him with raising Portugal's profile internationally and inspiring generations of young footballers.
“For many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!” the statement said.
The federation also confirmed plans to organize a tribute to celebrate his achievements and give supporters an opportunity to recognize his service to the country.
Ronaldo's final appearance for Portugal came on September 24, when the team secured a 1-0 home victory over Wales in the Nations League.
His international departure followed a disagreement over his role with coach Jorge Jesus. After being left on the bench for the subsequent match, Ronaldo reportedly left the national team's training camp. Jesus later said the forward would be welcome to return, leaving the decision in Ronaldo's hands.
Ronaldo Transformed Portugal's International Standing
When Ronaldo made his Portugal debut against Kazakhstan in 2003, replacing Luís Figo, the national team had yet to win a major international trophy.
That changed during his time with the team.
Portugal captured its first major title at Euro 2016, defeating France in the final. The country later added Nations League championships in 2019 and 2025.
Ronaldo also helped Portugal become a regular presence at major international tournaments. Before his arrival, the country had qualified for the World Cup three times: 1966, 1986 and 2002. During his international career, Portugal qualified for every subsequent edition.
The same pattern emerged at the European Championship. Portugal had appeared in three editions before Ronaldo's arrival, but qualified for every tournament during his international era.
His first major tournament was Euro 2004, hosted by Portugal. The team reached the final but lost to Greece.
At the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo helped Portugal reach the semifinals and finish fourth. The team continued to feature among the contenders in subsequent tournaments, although its best result after 2006 was a quarterfinal appearance at the 2022 World Cup.
“Throughout my entire career with the national team, I always pushed myself beyond my limits,” Ronaldo said. “I wanted to win. I wanted to be better. I wanted to make history.”
He added that representing Portugal had always been a source of pride, even through difficult defeats and missed opportunities.
A Record-Breaking International Career
Ronaldo leaves international football with a collection of records that place him among the most decorated players in the history of the sport.
He scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, both men's international records. He also became the first player to reach 200 international appearances.
His achievements include:
146 international goals: The men's all-time scoring record.
234 appearances: The most in men's international football.
Six World Cups: The first man to score in six different editions.
11 World Cup goals: A Portugal record, surpassing Eusébio's nine.
30 European Championship appearances: The competition's appearance record.
14 European Championship goals: The tournament's all-time scoring record.
23 consecutive calendar years scoring for Portugal: From 2004 through 2026.
His first international goal came at Euro 2004, the tournament that introduced him to a global audience as one of football's rising stars.
More than two decades later, Ronaldo leaves the national team as its record scorer, most-capped player and a central figure in its greatest period of international success.
His retirement closes a defining chapter in Portuguese football, while his pursuit of further milestones at club level continues.
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