Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from international football

05-Nov-2026

.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his intention to ⁠retire from ⁠the Portugal national team in a social media post, bringing to ⁠an end one of the most illustrious international careers in the history of football.

The 41-year-old’s announcement on November 5 that he will “hand back the number 7 shirt” marked the end of a lauded career that began more than two decades ago and finished with him walking out on the national team after falling out with coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo thanked his family, the Portuguese ⁠people, and the teammates, coaches ⁠and staff he worked with over his 23-year career with the national team.

“Portugal will always be a part of me,” ‌he captioned the announcement video.

Ronaldo has made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals. ‌He ‌holds the all-time record for international appearances and for international goals.