Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from International Football After 23 Years With Portugal

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an extraordinary 23-year career with the national team. The 41 year old confirmed his decision on Thursday, November 5, 2026, through an emotional message shared on social media, saying it was time to hand over Portugal’s iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.

“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision,” Ronaldo said, reflecting on his journey with the national team. He also thanked his teammates, coaches, family and Portuguese supporters for standing by him throughout his international career, adding that Portugal would always remain part of him.

Ronaldo leaves behind an impressive record of 146 international goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, making him the highest-scoring player and one of the most capped footballers in men’s international football history.

His international journey began in 2003 when he made his senior debut at just 18 years old. Over the years, he developed into one of the most influential figures in Portuguese football, eventually becoming captain and leading the country to several major achievements.

One of the defining moments of his career came at the 2016 European Championship, when he captained Portugal to their first major international trophy. He also helped the team win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

His retirement announcement comes after a difficult period involving Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo reportedly fell out with the manager during the previous international break, following disagreements over his playing time. He subsequently left the national team camp, an incident that led to disciplinary action from the Portuguese Football Federation.

Despite the disagreement, Ronaldo had previously indicated that he was not ready to retire from international football, making Thursday’s announcement a significant change in his plans.

Although he is stepping away from Portugal’s national team, his retirement does not necessarily mean the end of his professional club career. Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr and has continued pursuing his personal goal of reaching 1,000 career goals. His departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter in football history, leaving behind records, trophies and memories that will remain central to Portugal’s sporting legacy.