Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal after dispute with coach
Cristiano Ronaldo said he will quit international football following a disagreement with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, ending a 23-year career with 146 goals in 234 matches.
Portugal’s all-time leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football, citing a fallout with national team coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old forward, who has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances, said in a video posted to Instagram that he will hand the number seven shirt back to the next generation.
Ronaldo’s decision comes a day before Jesus is set to name the squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales. The announcement follows a recent 30-day suspension imposed by the Portuguese football federation after Ronaldo left the national team camp during the previous international window, a move he said was prompted by disagreements over his playing time.
"To the Portuguese people, the day has come to hand back the number seven shirt of the national team that belongs to us all," Ronaldo said in the video.
He added that the choice was difficult, involving both head and heart. Ronaldo, who last appeared for Portugal on September 24 in a 1-0 win over Wales, was an unused substitute in a 2-1 victory over Norway on October 4.
The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement expressing gratitude for Ronaldo’s career, noting his record caps and goals and his role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 and UEFA Nations League titles. The federation said it will arrange a tribute at a later date.
Ronaldo will continue playing at club level with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to finish his contract at the end of the season. He is currently pursuing his 1,000th career goal, having scored 985 to date.