Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international soccer, concluding a record-breaking career representing Portugal spanning over two decades. The 41-year-old forward shared the news on Thursday through an extended video message in which he read a heartfelt letter to supporters.
Reflecting on his journey, Ronaldo stated:
“The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. I never thought it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years, I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it.” Over the course of his illustrious international tenure, Ronaldo played a record 234 matches for his country and scored a record 146 international goals, establishing benchmarks that no other male player has surpassed.
A historic legacy of silverware and milestones
The pinnacle of Ronaldo’s international career arrived in 2016 when he captained Portugal to victory at the European Championship, securing the nation’s first-ever major international trophy. He subsequently helped guide the squad to further glory by winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Despite his unparalleled success, recent years saw growing friction between the veteran forward and the national setup, driven in part by debates over his declining on-field impact and starting role. Following this summer’s World Cup in North America, Ronaldo experienced a brief fallout with newly appointed head coach Jorge Jesus before issuing an apology and mending relations. His retirement announcement follows closely behind a similar decision by long-time rival Lionel Messi regarding Argentina.
Tributes and future club focus
The Portuguese Football Federation issued a formal statement expressing that it refuses to let the legendary player’s farewell pass without an official tribute, planning collaborative celebrations ahead of upcoming fixtures. While his chapter with the national team has concluded, Ronaldo is not stepping away from professional football entirely. He continues to compete for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr FC, where he remains active and is rapidly closing in on the milestone of 1,000 career goals, currently standing at 985.
