Cristiano Ronaldo officially retires from playing for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo in an emotional five minutes video has announced his retirement from Portugal and international football.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he will bring his illustrious international career with Portugal to an end following the November international break, drawing the curtain on a remarkable 23-year journey with his country.

The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday through a video shared on social media, confirming his decision to step away from international football and relinquish the iconic No. 7 shirt he has worn for more than two decades.

In his message to Portuguese supporters, Ronaldo reflected on the privilege of representing his country, describing the shirt as a responsibility he carried with immense pride throughout his career.

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and went on to establish himself as the nation's most influential footballer, recording 234 international appearances and 146 goals. Both figures remain world records for men's international football.

His greatest achievement with Portugal came in 2016, when he captained the country to its first-ever European Championship title. He subsequently added two UEFA Nations League trophies to his international honours, winning the competition in 2019 and 2025.

Reflecting on his departure, Ronaldo expressed gratitude to the Portuguese people for their unwavering support, insisting that representing his country was the greatest achievement of his career.

He also acknowledged that football records and trophies may eventually be surpassed, but the connection he built with supporters would remain his most lasting legacy.

After 23 years, five major international tournaments and a record-breaking collection of achievements, one of football's greatest international careers is set to reach its conclusion.

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