Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 23-year career with the national team.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday in an emotional message posted on Instagram, saying he was ready to hand over Portugal’s famous number seven shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo described the decision as difficult, reflecting on the privilege and responsibility of wearing the shirt and representing his country across the world.
His international journey began in August 2003, when he made his senior debut against Kazakhstan. Over the following two decades, he became one of Portugal’s most influential players and a central figure in the country’s football history.
Looking back on his time with the national team, Ronaldo said his memories went beyond goals, appearances, records and trophies. He recalled the supporters, particularly Portuguese communities living abroad, who found a sense of connection to home through the team.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he had always pushed himself to achieve more while representing Portugal, driven by the desire to win and make history. He also acknowledged the setbacks, disappointments and occasions when he felt he had failed to meet the expectations of supporters.
Despite those challenges, he said he had never stopped feeling proud of representing his country.
Ronaldo leaves international football as the highest goalscorer in the men’s game, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, according to UEFA figures updated in October 2026.
He also holds the record for the most international appearances by a male footballer, having moved past Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa. At the 2026 World Cup, he became the first player to score at six different editions of the tournament.
His major international milestones include Portugal’s run to the final of Euro 2004, where they lost to Greece, and the country’s historic triumph at Euro 2016. Ronaldo captained the team to the title but was forced off with an injury during the final against France.
Portugal later won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and secured the competition’s title again in 2025.
Away from international football, Ronaldo has enjoyed a highly successful club career, winning five Ballon d’Or awards and five UEFA Champions League titles.
He has represented major European clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, winning league championships in England, Spain and Italy. During his nine years at Real Madrid, he became the Spanish club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
His retirement brings to a close one of the longest and most successful international careers in modern football, leaving Portugal with the task of moving forward without its record-breaking captain and leading goalscorer.
