Ronaldo Retires from Portugal National Team
The 41-year-old forward ends a 23-year international career that included a European title and the men's all-time scoring record.
By Amina Yusuf ·
Cristiano Ronaldo ended his international career on Thursday after announcing he will no longer play for Portugal. The decision concludes a 23-year tenure with the national team that spans six World Cup tournaments.
In a video message posted to Instagram, the 41-year-old striker addressed the Portuguese public. He stated that the time had come to return the number 7 jersey to the national squad. Ronaldo described the shirt as belonging to the people rather than to him alone. He cited the privilege and responsibility of wearing the uniform and traveling to stadiums worldwide for over two decades.
Ronaldo’s international record is defined by his scoring output. He holds the men’s all-time record for international goals with 146. He also holds the record for most international appearances with 234. His trophy cabinet includes the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League titles won in 2019 and 2025. He is also the all-time leading scorer in European Championship history with 14 goals.
Despite these accolades, Ronaldo never won a World Cup. His best finish was fourth place in 2006 in Germany, where Portugal reached the semifinals.
The announcement follows a disciplinary action by the Portuguese Football Federation. The federation’s Disciplinary Council suspended Ronaldo for 30 days and fined him 255 euros. This penalty was the minimum allowed under the regulations. It stemmed from his departure from the national team camp on September 30.
