The 41-year-old is Portugal’s leading goalscorer having scored 146 goals in 232 appearances
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on Thursday at the age of 41, bringing an end to a record-breaking 23-year career with Portugal in which he became the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed his decision in an emotional video posted on Instagram, saying he was ready to hand over the national team’s number seven shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo made his international debut in August 2003 and went on to make a world-record 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring 146 goals.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said.
“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.”
“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart.”
“A journey that began in August 2003, and changed my life forever, has come to an end,” he added.
Ronaldo reflected on the significance of representing his country, saying his international career had been about much more than goals, records and trophies.
“When I look back at everything I experienced with the national team, I don’t just see matches, goals, records, or trophies. I see people,” he said.
“Football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.”
He said he had consistently pushed himself beyond his limits in pursuit of success and had given everything to the national team.
“I wanted to win. I wanted to be better. I wanted to make history. I always demanded the most of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt,” he said.
Ronaldo acknowledged the disappointments along the way but said he had never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.
“There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember. I made mistakes. I suffered. There were also moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up.”
The forward’s greatest international achievement came in 2016, when he captained Portugal to their first European Championship title in France. He was forced off injured during the final against France but watched from the sidelines as his teammates secured a 1-0 victory in extra time.
Ronaldo also helped Portugal win the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019.
“I won Euro 2016 and, for me, that’s just as important as the World Cup. It will stay with me forever,” he said.
At the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Ronaldo scored three goals before Portugal were eliminated in the last 16 by eventual champions Spain.
His international career also featured several memorable and controversial moments. At the 2006 World Cup quarter-final against England in Germany, television cameras caught the then 21-year-old appearing to wink towards his bench after seeming to urge the referee to dismiss his Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney.
Rooney was sent off and Ronaldo subsequently scored the decisive penalty in the shootout as Portugal advanced to the semi-finals, where they lost to France.
Ronaldo’s announcement follows a difficult period with the national team. Last month, he reportedly fell out with coach Jorge Jesus after refusing to play in a Nations League match. He subsequently left the team camp and received a 30-day suspension.
Although he apologised and speculation suggested he could return to international duty, Thursday’s announcement confirmed his decision to bring his Portugal career to a close.
The Portuguese Football Federation said it would organise a “fitting tribute” to honour what it described as Ronaldo’s “immense career”.
Ronaldo will continue his club career with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where he is under contract until June 2027.
Reflecting on his legacy, the forward said records and trophies would eventually lose their significance, but the memories shared with supporters would endure.
“Goals fade. Trophies end up in museums. Records are eventually broken. But there is something that time can never erase: the place we hold in people’s hearts,” he said.
He added that his greatest achievement was not becoming the world’s best player but earning the opportunity to represent Portugal.
“I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today, I realise that my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world.”
“Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for allowing me to live a dream that began when I was just a little boy in Madeira running after a football.”
His retirement from international football comes after long-time rival Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina last month.