Cristiano Ronaldo Bids Goodbye To International Football

Article by Satya Published on: 12:03 pm, 6 November 2026

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 23-year career with the Portugal national team. The 41-year-old made the announcement through an emotional video shared on social media on Thursday, November 5, saying it was finally time to hand over the iconic No. 7 jersey to the next generation.

“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world,” Ronaldo said in his video message. He said some decisions are made not just with the mind but also with the heart.

The announcement marks the end of one of the most successful international careers in the history of football. Ronaldo debuted for Portugal in August 2003 against Kazakhstan and represented his country in 234 matches, scoring a remarkable 146 goals. He holds the records for the most appearances and the most goals in men’s international football.

With Portugal, he played in the FIFA World Cup across six editions. In the 2026 World Cup, he became the first footballer to score in six different editions of the tournament, finishing his World Cup career with 11 goals.

At Euro 2016, despite suffering an injury in the final against France and being forced to leave the field early, Portugal secured their first major international trophy. He subsequently helped the country win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Ronaldo reportedly had a disagreement with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus over his role in the squad and left the team’s training camp in September after being informed that he would not start a subsequent match. The Portuguese Football Federation later handed him a 30-day suspension and a fine.

The Portuguese Football Federation has expressed its gratitude for the legend’s contribution and will organise a special tribute in his honour. While Ronaldo will no longer represent Portugal, he is expected to continue playing club football for Saudi Arabian Al-Nassr. As he prepares to pass on the No. 7 jersey, Ronaldo leaves behind records that may take decades to surpass.