LISBON, November 05, 2026 (DAILYNWZ) — Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 23-year career with Portugal in which he became the country’s most decorated player and the world’s leading international goalscorer.
The 41-year-old forward said he would “hand back the number 7 shirt” after the November international break, bringing an end to an era that included Portugal’s first major international trophy and several individual records.
“It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart,” Ronaldo said in a video announcing his departure.
“If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it,” he added.
Ronaldo thanked his family, the Portuguese people and the teammates, coaches and staff who accompanied him throughout his international career. “Portugal will always be a part of me,” he wrote alongside the announcement video.
His record with the national team stands at 234 appearances and 146 goals, making him the most capped player and highest scorer in men’s international football.
As captain, Ronaldo led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016, the country’s first major international title, and helped secure Nations League trophies in 2019 and 2025.
His final appearance at an international tournament came at the 2026 World Cup. Portugal’s campaign ended in the last 16 with a 1-0 defeat by Iberian rivals Spain, who went on to win the tournament. The World Cup title remained the one major international honour missing from Ronaldo’s collection.
He also became one of only two players, alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi, to appear at six global tournaments, adding another milestone to an exceptional international career.
Ronaldo’s departure follows a period of tension with the national team. He left Portugal’s training camp without permission at the end of September, ahead of a Nations League match against Denmark, citing broken promises by manager Jorge Jesus. Jesus denied making any agreement with the forward but later left the door open to his return.
After apologising and declaring himself available for selection, Ronaldo was suspended for 30 days by the Portuguese Football Federation and fined 255 euros ($287.16).
The federation expressed “profound and eternal gratitude” for his contribution, describing him as an exceptional athlete, an inspiring leader and “the ultimate symbol of the soul of our National Team”.
Ronaldo’s retirement brings to a close a career that made him a global sporting figure and a cultural reference point for Portugal.
“I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today I realise that my greatest victory was having deserved the honour of representing the best country in the world,” he said.