Cristiano Ronaldo Retires From Portugal Duty After 23 Years and 146 Goals

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, closing a Portugal career that lasted 23 years and produced a world-record 146 goals in 234 appearances. The 41-year-old confirmed the decision on Thursday in an emotional video message on social media, telling supporters that the day had come for him to hand back the number seven shirt of his country.

“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end,” Ronaldo said in the message. “Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. I leave with my head held high, proud of the path I have taken and knowing that I gave everything I had for Portugal.”

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A farewell after the fallout

The announcement came less than a month after Ronaldo’s stormy exit from the national team camp. On 30 September he walked out of the squad’s training base after being left on the bench for the 2-1 Nations League win over Norway, following a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus over playing time. The Portuguese Football Federation suspended him for 30 days and fined him 255 euros, and he was not used in the following match either.

His final appearance in a Portugal shirt had already taken place on 24 September, when he played in the 1-0 Nations League win over Wales. Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and that the decision to return was his to make. Ronaldo has now made it, choosing to step away before this month’s internationals against Denmark on 14 November and Wales on 17 November.

The federation paid tribute to its captain, expressing deep gratitude and immense admiration for his service and promising to organise an event in his honour. In his farewell message, Ronaldo said the number seven shirt would remain, and that the pride of having worn it would be his forever.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal record

No player in the history of men’s international football has scored more goals or won more matches for his country. Ronaldo retires with 146 goals from 234 appearances, both world records, and a record 141 international victories. He played at six European Championships, more than any other player, and at six World Cups, a joint record.

His greatest night came at Euro 2016, when he captained Portugal to their first major trophy, beating hosts France in the final in Paris despite leaving the match early through injury. He added two Nations League titles, in 2019 and again in 2025, the second of them won only months before his international career ended.

The timing carries a wider meaning for the sport. Lionel Messi, his great rival for almost two decades, played his farewell match for Argentina last month. Within weeks of each other, the two players who defined a generation of international football have both left the stage, and the game will not see their like again soon.

Club career goes on

Ronaldo’s retirement applies only to international football. He will continue to play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is chasing one of the last great milestones of his career: 1,000 goals. He currently stands on 985, and is expected to finish his club career at the end of this season.

For Portugal, the task now is to plan life without the player who carried the team for more than two decades. The next generation takes over with the Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales, the first Portugal games in 23 years in which the number seven shirt will belong to someone else. More international football coverage is available on Watan News.