Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 23-year career with Portugal during which he became men's football's all-time leading international goalscorer and most-capped player.
The 41-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner confirmed his decision in an emotional video shared on social media on Thursday. He said he would hand back Portugal's iconic number 7 shirt after the November international break, marking the end of a journey that began in August 2003.
Ronaldo leaves the national team with 146 goals in 234 appearances. He captained Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and helped the country win two UEFA Nations League crowns, in 2019 and 2025.
“To the Portuguese people. The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years, I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world,” he said in the video.
'Time has come to pass it on to the future'
Ronaldo described the decision to retire as difficult, saying he had reached a point where the next generation needed to take over the responsibility of representing Portugal.
“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,” he said.
The Portuguese forward represented his country in six editions of the FIFA World Cup, becoming the only player to score in six different tournaments. His most recent campaign ended with Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16.
Despite his extraordinary individual achievements and longevity at the highest level, winning the World Cup remained the major honour that eluded him.
Ronaldo says career was about more than records and trophies
Reflecting on his international journey, Ronaldo said his memories extended beyond matches, goals, records and silverware. He spoke about the connection he developed with Portuguese supporters, including those living abroad, and the responsibility he felt to represent his country.
“When I look back at everything I experienced with the national team, I don’t just see matches, goals, records or trophies. I see people, Portuguese people living abroad, who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who have become part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.
“Throughout my entire career with the national team. I always pushed myself beyond limits. I wanted to win. I wanted to be better. I wanted to make history. I always demanded the most of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt. There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember,” he added.
Ronaldo also acknowledged the setbacks and disappointments he experienced while playing for Portugal, saying there were occasions when he could not deliver what supporters expected.
'I made mistakes, I suffered'
The forward spoke candidly about the difficult periods of his international career, insisting that he had never lost his desire to represent Portugal.
“I made mistakes. I suffered. There were also moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling wanting to represent Portugal.
“Over the years, I learned a few very simple things: Goals fade, trophies end up in museums. Records are eventually broken. But there is something that time can never erase. The place we hold in people’s hearts. If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you embrace someone, forget a worry, or feel very proud of our country, then it was all worth it,” he said.
Retirement announcement follows dispute with Portugal coach
Ronaldo's announcement comes weeks after a turbulent episode involving Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. The captain left the national team camp following a dispute surrounding his involvement in a Nations League match.
He was subsequently handed a 30-day suspension for leaving the camp, a sanction he accepted. The episode had raised questions about his future with the national team before Thursday's announcement.
Ronaldo's departure closes one of the most remarkable international careers in football. He leaves Portugal as its record goalscorer and appearance-maker, having helped the country secure its first European Championship title in 2016 and two Nations League trophies.