Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an illustrious 23-year career with the national team to an end.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward made the announcement on Thursday through a video shared on his official X account, saying it was time to hand over Portugal’s iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said.
He described the decision as difficult, reflecting on a journey that began in August 2003 and transformed his life, adding that wearing and defending Portugal’s colours had been one of the greatest privileges of his career.
Ronaldo bows out with 234 international appearances and 146 goals, figures that place him among the most prolific players in international football history. His international career also produced several major milestones, including leading Portugal to its historic UEFA Euro 2016 triumph in France.
The announcement follows a turbulent period involving the forward and Portugal’s national team setup. Reports of disagreements over his role and playing time had raised questions about his international future.
Despite the challenges, Ronaldo remained a central figure in Portuguese football, representing his country across multiple European Championships and FIFA World Cups.
His retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era for Portugal and comes shortly after long-time rival Lionel Messi also brought his international career with Argentina to a close.
Ronaldo’s departure leaves a significant void in the national team, with the responsibility now shifting to a new generation of Portuguese players to carry forward the legacy of the number seven shirt.
