Portugal football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 23-year career with the national team.
The 41-year-old forward confirmed his decision in an emotional farewell message shared in an Instagram video, saying the time had come to hand over Portugal’s iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo made his international debut in August 2003 and went on to establish himself as Portugal’s most celebrated player, scoring a world-record 146 goals in 234 appearances for his country.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said.
“I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all 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.
“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”
The Portuguese Football Federation (PFF) has expressed its desire to organise a befitting farewell ceremony in honour of the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward.
In a statement, the federation said it would not allow his departure from international football to pass without proper recognition.
“It is our firm and immense desire to organise, plan, participate and actively collaborate in what will always be a fitting tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo’s immense career, in which fans and the country can applaud and celebrate, once again, the player who has given us so much,” the statement read.
Ronaldo’s international career was decorated with major achievements, including Portugal’s triumph at the 2016 European Championship, after finishing runners-up in 2004.
He also captained the country to victory in the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and another title in 2025.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner featured in six European Championship tournaments and several FIFA World Cups but was unable to guide Portugal beyond the semi-final stage of the global competition during his international career.
His retirement comes amid a reported disagreement with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus following his exclusion from the starting line-up against Denmark.
The former captain had reportedly been angered after being asked to warm up during a previous match against Norway but was not introduced, marking his first time as an unused substitute in a competitive Portugal fixture since 2008.
Ronaldo subsequently left the national team camp after being informed that he would not start against Denmark.
He later released a lengthy statement insisting that he had no intention of retiring from international football at the time, accusing the coach of twice breaking his word.
The Portuguese football authorities subsequently fined him £215 and handed him a 30-day suspension, although the punishment did not affect any scheduled international fixtures.
Jesus, however, maintained that the door remained open for Ronaldo’s return to the national team.
In his farewell message, Ronaldo did not directly address the disagreement with the coach but acknowledged the difficult moments and mistakes he experienced throughout his international career.
“There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember. I made mistakes; I suffered,” he said.
“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.
“I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today I realise my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world.”
Ronaldo’s announcement comes weeks after Portugal’s latest international campaign and places him among football’s most decorated players to have called time on their national team careers.
His great rival, Argentina captain Lionel Messi, also previously announced his retirement from international football before later returning to the national team.
