Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portugal’s National Team

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary forward for Portugal, has announced his retirement from international football. The 41-year-old made the announcement in a video shared on his official social media account on Thursday.

In the video, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude to the Portuguese people, saying, “The day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team.” He reflected on his 23-year journey with the team, stating it was a privilege to wear the shirt and represent his country.

Ronaldo’s decision comes after a series of events, including a walkout from the national team camp last month when he learned he would not start in a Nations League match against Denmark. This incident led to a 30-day suspension from the team.

Throughout his international career, Ronaldo scored 146 goals and earned 234 caps, both of which are world records. He won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, despite leaving the final early due to injury. At the recent 2026 World Cup, he scored three goals before Portugal was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Spain.

Ronaldo’s retirement follows that of his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, who played his final match for Argentina last month. The football world will remember Ronaldo not only for his records but also for his contributions to the sport over the years.