Cristiano Ronaldo Retires After Two Decades with Portugal, Reflects on Key Moments

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over two decades with the Portugal national team. He made 234 appearances and scored a record 146 goals since his debut in 2003.

Ronaldo’s career with Portugal featured many memorable moments. In 2013, he shone in a crucial World Cup play-off against Sweden. After Portugal won the first leg 1-0, Ronaldo scored first in the return match. Despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s two goals, Ronaldo completed his hat-trick in just two minutes, securing Portugal’s spot in the 2014 World Cup.

In 2016, Ronaldo’s journey to the Euro 2016 final was emotional. Portugal had not won any group games, but they reached the final against France. Unfortunately, Ronaldo left the match injured in tears just 25 minutes in. His teammates went on to win, with Eder scoring the decisive goal in extra time.

At the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo showcased his skills in Portugal’s opening match against Spain. He scored a penalty and completed a hat-trick, including a stunning late free kick, leading to a thrilling draw.

In 2025, three months after turning 40, Ronaldo played a key role in the Nations League final. He scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Germany and equalized against Spain in the final, which Portugal eventually won on penalties.

Ronaldo’s final international match came in 2026 during the World Cup against Croatia. Despite a slow start for Portugal, he scored an equalizer from the penalty spot, helping the team secure a 2-1 victory, although they were later eliminated by Spain.