Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his 23-year career with Portugal to an end following a turbulent period involving national team manager Jorge Jesus.
The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward confirmed his decision in an emotional five-minute video, reflecting on his achievements, disappointments and experiences representing his country.
Ronaldo leaves international football as Portugal’s record goalscorer, having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances.
His honours include the 2016 European Championship and two Nations League titles.
His announcement comes weeks after a disagreement with Jesus resulted in him leaving Portugal’s training camp during the September and October international break.
Ronaldo Hands Over Portugal’s Number Seven Shirt
In his retirement message, Ronaldo described his decision to end his international career as difficult, explaining that it involved both personal and emotional considerations.
He also acknowledged that his performances had not always met expectations, despite his determination to give everything for the national team.
The former Manchester United forward said he was proud of his contribution and ready to hand the iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.
He is also hoping that his 16-year-old son, Cristiano Junior, will eventually follow in his footsteps.
The teenager received a call-up to Portugal’s Under-17 squad this week.
Ronaldo made his senior international debut in August 2003, aged 18, and went on to represent Portugal at six World Cups and six European Championships.
He also featured in two Nations League finals and a Confederations Cup during his time with the national team.
Portugal Career Ends Without World Cup Glory
Despite his numerous achievements, Ronaldo never managed to win the World Cup with Portugal.
His best performance at the tournament came in 2006, when the Portuguese reached the semi-finals in Germany.
He also helped the team reach the quarter-finals in Qatar in 2022.
His final appearance at a World Cup came during Portugal’s 1-0 defeat against arch-rivals Spain at this summer’s tournament.
Ronaldo was left in tears following the loss.
He also shares the record for appearing at six World Cups with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
One of the defining moments of his international career came during the 2016 European Championship final against France.
Ronaldo was forced off through injury during the match but remained animated on the touchline, encouraging his teammates and offering instructions as Portugal secured a historic victory.
The triumph delivered Portugal’s first European Championship title.
Disagreement With Jorge Jesus Precedes Retirement
Ronaldo’s departure comes amid questions surrounding his relationship with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.
His final minutes on the pitch for Portugal came against Wales in September, when he played 67 minutes in a 1-0 Nations League victory.
However, he was subsequently left on the bench for Portugal’s next match against Norway on September 27, despite warming up during the game.
It was the first time in his 18-year international career that he had remained an unused substitute.
The decision reportedly angered Ronaldo, who believed he had been promised 30 minutes of playing time after the Portuguese Football Federation persuaded him to continue representing the country following the World Cup.
The disagreement escalated after the forward became dissatisfied with Jesus’ explanation during his post-match press conference.
Ronaldo claimed the manager had failed to honour an agreement to apologise to the Portuguese public and his teammates for not bringing him onto the pitch.
He subsequently accused Jesus of breaking promises in a lengthy 1,996-word statement, alleging that the manager had agreed to issue an eight-point apology accepting responsibility for the decision.
Ronaldo Leaves Portugal’s Training Camp
The disagreement resulted in Ronaldo missing three training sessions before leaving Portugal’s camp ahead of the remaining fixtures of the international break.
He departed for Spain aboard his private jet, travelling with his family rather than remaining with the national team.
Ronaldo also did not watch Portugal’s subsequent match against Norway, as he had already left the country.
Jesus offered a different account of the discussions surrounding the player’s involvement against Norway.
The manager acknowledged that asking Ronaldo to warm up might have been a mistake but maintained that the forward had agreed to the possibility of being used.
He explained: “The match in Norway was not part of the plan I drew up for him.
However, I felt that he had managed to recover physically from the first match and I warned him that I might have to use him. Cristiano agreed.”
The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently fined Ronaldo £215 and imposed a one-month suspension.
However, the punishment was backdated, meaning he would have been eligible for the upcoming international fixtures against Denmark and Wales.
His retirement announcement has now brought an end to speculation about whether he would return to the squad for the November international break.
Ronaldo Reflects on 23 Years Representing Portugal
In his farewell message, Ronaldo expressed gratitude to the supporters, teammates, coaches and staff who accompanied him throughout his international career.
He recalled the emotional experience of hearing Portugal’s national anthem before matches, describing it as one of the memories he would carry for the rest of his life.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also acknowledged the sacrifices made by his family throughout his career and thanked them for supporting his commitment to the national team.
He said: “Goals pass, trophies stay in museums, records end up being broken.
But there is something that time can never erase: the place we occupy in people’s hearts.”
Ronaldo also urged Portugal to continue developing young players capable of achieving new milestones, expressing confidence in the country’s next generation of footballers.
He added that although his playing career with the national team was over, he would continue supporting Portugal and celebrating its victories.
Full Statement From Cristiano Ronaldo
In his farewell address, Ronaldo said:
“To the people of Portugal, the day has come to return the number 7 jersey of our national team.
I never felt it was exclusively mine.
But for 23 years, I had the privilege and the responsibility to wear it, to defend it, and to take it with me to stadiums all over the world.
“Today has come the moment to hand it over to the future.
It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made just with the head, they are also made with the heart.
“A journey comes to an end that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever.
When I look back and think about everything I experienced in the national team, I do not just see games, goals, records, or trophies.
I see people. I see immigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt Portugal a little closer.
“I see millions of Portuguese people that I never met personally, but who were part of my life.
Because at the end of everything, football is much greater than a game. Football is people.
Throughout my career in the national team, I sought to surpass my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history.
“I was always demanding of myself.
I always wanted more, I always believed we could go further.
And I gave everything I had for this jersey.
There were perfect afternoons and nights, there were victories I will never forget.
“There were defeats that even today I find hard to remember.
I also failed, I also suffered, there were also moments when I was not able to give the Portuguese people what they so desired.
But I never gave up.
And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.
“Throughout these years, I learned very simple things.
Goals pass, trophies stay in museums, records end up being broken.
But there is something that time can never erase: the place we occupy in people’s hearts.
“If I ever made you happy, if ever a goal of mine made you hug someone, forget a problem, or simply feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it.
Because being Portuguese is also that. We suffer together, we get up together.
“We believe again.
Portugal will always need youngsters who dream of it, players who never give up, new generations who believe it is possible to reach where no one has reached.
Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.
“To my national team teammates, I want to leave a special word.
Thank you for every run, for every hug, for every argument, for every silence before entering the pitch.
For every victory we celebrated together and for every defeat that made us stronger.
I had the privilege of being your captain, but no captain walks alone.
And you are part of my history.
To all the coaches, directors, doctors, physiotherapists, kit men, staff, and so many people who worked with me over these years, my thank you.
“Many of you never appeared in these photographs.
But without you, none of those photographs would have been possible.
To my family, thank you for sharing this dream with me.
Thank you for understanding the absences, the sacrifices, and the moments when the national team had to occupy a space that also belonged to you.
“If I got this far, it was because we were always hand in hand.
And to the Portuguese, to all Portuguese people scattered around the world, I want to tell you one last thing.
There is an image I will always carry with me: the moment the national anthem begins.
I look around, I see my teammates, I see the stands, I see children, mothers, fathers, and grandfathers, I see Portuguese people who came from so far just to be there.
“And during those minutes, we stop being different.
There are no clubs, there are no colors, there are no classes, there are no professions, there are no opinions.
There is only one passion: Portugal.
“That is a feeling I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Today, my journey on the pitch with the national team ends.
I leave with my head held high, proud of the path I walked and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal.
“But I will never stop being one of you.
I will continue to suffer, to cheer, and to celebrate every victory of Portugal.
I spent my life working to be the best player in the world.
Today I realize that the greatest victory was having deserved to represent the best country in the world.
“Thank you for these 23 years.
Thank you for believing in me.
Thank you for allowing me to live a dream that began when I was just a boy in Madeira, chasing a ball.
The number seven jersey stays, the pride of having worn it will be mine forever.
Portugal will always be in me.
Farewell always, Cristiano Ronaldo.”
