Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portugal National Team

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 23-year career with the Portuguese national team. The 41-year-old announced the decision via social media on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Ronaldo's international career included 243 caps and 146 goals, according to Sky Sports. He is the all-time top scorer for the Portuguese national team. His career achievements include winning Euro 2016, which was the team's first major tournament championship in history, and two Nations League titles.

In a video message shared on social media, Ronaldo addressed the Portuguese people, stating, "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team." He added, "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."

According to the New York Post, Ronaldo's final appearance for the national team took place on September 24 in a 1-0 victory over Wales during the Nations League. He is currently in pursuit of his 1,000th career goal, having scored 985 goals to date.

Departure from the National Team

The decision to retire follows reports of a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus. Sky Sports reports the retirement comes after a "falling out with head coach Jorge Jesus in the last international break."

According to the New York Post, Jesus kept Ronaldo on the bench for a match following the September 24 game and indicated he did not plan to start him in the following match. Consequently, Ronaldo reportedly decided to leave the team's training camp. Jesus later stated that Ronaldo would be welcome back and that the decision to return rested with the player.

Tributes and Future Plans

The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement expressing "deep gratitude and immense admiration" for Ronaldo's service. The federation stated, "Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal’s profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!"

The federation also announced plans to organize a tribute so that "the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much."

While retiring from international duty, Ronaldo is expected to continue playing at the club level. He is expected to finish his club career at the end of this season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

---

Sources

• skysports.com: Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football after glittering Portugal career that spanned 23 years | Football News | Sky Sports
• chinanews.com.cn (in Chinese): Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portuguese National Team: "Portugal, Forever in My Heart"
• nypost.com: Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from international soccer

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.