Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from international football

Ronaldo ends his Portugal career

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he is retiring from international football at 41, bringing to an end a Portugal career that began in 2003. In a video posted on Instagram, he said he was handing back the national team’s No. 7 shirt and passing it to a future generation.

His international career included 234 appearances and 146 goals, both world records. He also won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Portugal plans a tribute

The Portuguese Football Federation said it would organize a fitting tribute to Ronaldo and collaborate on plans to honor his career. Portugal’s squad announcement was due on Friday, before Nations League fixtures against Denmark at home and Wales away.

Ronaldo’s departure comes after a dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus during the previous international break. He left the team camp after being told he would not start against Denmark and was subsequently fined and suspended for 30 days, according to the reporting.

A career spanning 23 years

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and played in six European Championships and six World Cups. Portugal were runners-up at Euro 2004 and won the 2016 tournament, while his last World Cup ended with a round-of-16 defeat to eventual champions Spain.

He had captained Portugal since 2008. His farewell followed earlier consideration of retirement, including a report that he had drafted a retirement statement before being talked out of it during the flight back from North America.