Cristiano Ronaldo will no longer play for Portugal, ending a career that spanned six World Cups and included a European title and the men’s all-time international goalscoring record on Thursday.
His announcement marked the end of an illustrious career that began more than two decades ago before Euro 2004 and ended with his departure from the national team after falling out with coach Jorge Jesus.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to return the number 7 jersey of our national team,” said 41-year-old Ronaldo in a long video message on social networks. “I never felt that it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility to hold it, protect it and carry it with me in stadiums around the world.
“Today is the time to move 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.”
Ronaldo will continue to play at club level, which he is expected to finish at the end of this season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
He is chasing his 1,000th career goal, taking his tally to 985. Of those, a record 146 goals came in 234 appearances for Portugal.
While old peer Lionel Messi ended his career with Argentina last month after a long-awaited farewell match, Ronaldo’s final appearance for Portugal came on September 24 in a 1-0 home win over Wales in the Nations League.
Jesus kept him on the bench for the next game and said he had no plans to start him in the next game, so Ronaldo decided to leave the team’s training camp. Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome to return and the decision to return was up to him.
The Portuguese Football Federation released a statement expressing “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for Ronaldo’s service to the country.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has raised the profile of Portugal and inspired generations of youngsters who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!” said the federation.
He said he intends to organize a tribute to Ronaldo “in which the fans and the country can once again applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much”.
Ronaldo helps Portugal reach a new level
Before Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal replacing Luís Figo in a 2003 friendly against Kazakhstan, Portugal had never won a major trophy.
Then he and successive generations of talented teammates made Portugal a regular presence at major tournaments.
Portugal won its first major title at Euro 2016, and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
“Throughout my career with the national team, I have always pushed myself beyond my limits,” Ronaldo said. “I wanted to win, I wanted to be better, I wanted to make history.
“I always demanded the best from myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this jersey.”
Portugal qualified for the World Cup only three times before Ronaldo’s time – 1966, 1986 and 2002. In his time, Portugal qualified every time.
Ronaldo took the field for Portugal after the 2026 World Cup, but not long before controversy erupted. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
The same was true of the Euros, which Portugal had only played three times before Ronaldo – 1984, 1996 and 2000. After he arrived, they played in the tournament each time. Portugal were runners-up on Ronaldo’s Euro 2004 debut at home.
At the World Cup, Portugal went as far as fourth with Ronaldo on his tournament debut in 2006. They were among the title contenders almost every time after that, however, with a best result a quarter-final appearance in 2022.
“There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories that I will never forget. There were losses that still hurt to remember,” said Ronaldo. “I made mistakes. I suffered. There were also moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese what they wanted so much. But I never gave up, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.”
Portugal’s best World Cup finish remains third in 1966 with the great Eusébio in what was the team’s only World Cup appearance until 1986.
A career of international records
Ronaldo was the first man to score in six World Cups. He reached his all-time record 11 goals at this year’s World Cup, surpassing Portugal’s previous record of nine held by Eusébio.
He scored for Portugal in 23 consecutive calendar years, from 2004-26.
He became the first player to reach 200 men’s international caps and his 234 caps remain the all-time record in men’s international football.
Ronaldo also has the most Euro appearances with 30 and the most Euro goals with 14. His first international goal came at the start of Euro 2004, when hosts Portugal were runners-up to Greece.
Ronaldo’s farewell video was of him reading his retirement announcement, interspersed with footage of him playing for the national team and footage of Portuguese fans.
“I have spent my life working to become the best player in the world,” Ronaldo said at the end. “Today I realize that my greatest victory was winning the honor to represent 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 started when I was a little boy in Madeira, running after a football. The No. 7 shirt will remain. The pride of wearing it will be mine forever.”
Reporting by the Associated Press.
