Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal national team
The 41-year-old Portuguese forward said he will hand back the number 7 shirt, ending a 23-year international career after a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus.
Cristiano Ronaldo posted on social media on Thursday that he will retire from the Portugal national team, saying he will "hand back the number 7 shirt." The decision ends a 23-year spell in which he made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals, records for both caps and goals for a national side.
Ronaldo said the choice was difficult, adding that it was driven by both head and heart. He thanked his family, the Portuguese people, teammates, coaches and staff, and wrote that "Portugal will always be a part of me."
He captained Portugal to its first major trophy at Euro 2016 and helped the side win the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. His last match for the country was a 1-0 victory over Wales on September 24 in the Nations League. After being left out of the starting lineup for the next game, Ronaldo left the training camp, and coach Jorge Jesus later said the player would be welcome back should he choose to return.
The Portuguese football federation released a statement expressing gratitude and admiration for Ronaldo’s contributions, noting his impact on the country’s profile and on aspiring young players. The federation said it plans a tribute event for fans to celebrate his career.
Ronaldo will continue playing at club level with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, aiming to finish his club career at the end of the season and pursue his 1,000th career goal, having already scored 985.