Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 23-year career with Portugal’s national team that saw him become the highest-scoring player in men’s international football history.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday in a message shared on his Instagram page, saying he was ready to hand over the country’s iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo’s decision marks the end of one of the most remarkable international careers in football, having represented Portugal since his senior debut in August 2003.
During his time with the national team, he established himself as a record-breaking goalscorer and captain, leading the country to its first major international trophy at the 2016 European Championship and helping it secure two UEFA Nations League titles.
In his retirement message, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner described the decision as difficult, noting that his connection with Portugal went beyond football and personal achievements.
He said the number seven shirt had been a privilege and responsibility he carried with pride for more than two decades.
He added that the shirt had never belonged to him alone, explaining that he had spent 23 years wearing, defending, and carrying it into stadiums around the world.
“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,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Ronaldo said his international career had transformed his life, adding that his memories of representing Portugal extended beyond matches, goals, records, and trophies.
He said the experience was defined by the people he encountered, including Portuguese supporters living abroad who felt closer to home whenever the national team played.
Ronaldo also acknowledged the challenges he faced throughout his career, including defeats and moments when he felt he had failed to meet the expectations of Portuguese supporters. However, he maintained that his commitment to the national team had never wavered.
“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 proud to represent Portugal,” he said.
According to UEFA figures updated in October 2026, Ronaldo leaves the national team with 146 goals in 234 appearances, making him the leading goalscorer and most-capped male international footballer in history.
He also became the first player to score at six different FIFA World Cup tournaments in 2026.
Ronaldo’s international career began on August 20, 2003, against Kazakhstan, before he featured at the 2004 European Championship, where Portugal finished as runners-up after losing the final to Greece.
His biggest achievement with the national team came in 2016, when he captained Portugal to its first European Championship title, despite being forced off injured during the final against France.
Portugal subsequently won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and lifted the trophy again in 2025.
Beyond international football, Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards and five UEFA Champions League titles. He also secured league titles in England, Spain and Italy, while becoming Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer during his nine-year spell at the Spanish club.
