Cristiano Ronaldo
Abayomi Olamilekan
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an illustrious 23-year career with the Portugal national team.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday, November 5, 2026, through a farewell video shared on social media, in which he confirmed that he was ready to hand over Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo, who made his international debut in August 2003, leaves the national team as its all-time leading scorer, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, both men’s international records.
In his farewell message, the Al Nassr forward described the decision as difficult, noting that his journey with Portugal had shaped his life and career.
He expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, family and supporters for their contributions throughout his international career, which saw him represent his country across six FIFA World Cup tournaments.
During his time with Portugal, Ronaldo captained the country to its historic UEFA European Championship triumph in 2016 and helped secure two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
He also became the first player to score at six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, further cementing his place in football history.
Ronaldo’s announcement comes weeks after tensions emerged between him and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus over his involvement in the national team. The disagreement followed his omission from the starting line-up and subsequent departure from the team’s training camp.
The Portuguese Football Federation later imposed a 30-day suspension and a fine following the incident.
Although Ronaldo did not directly address the disagreement in his farewell video, he reflected on the highs and lows of his international journey, acknowledging that he had made mistakes while expressing pride in representing his country.
The retirement marks the end of an era for Portugal, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner leaving behind a remarkable international legacy.
However, Ronaldo is not retiring from professional football altogether. He is expected to continue his club career with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, as he pursues further milestones in the game.
His departure from international football brings to a close one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the national team.
