Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career with Portugal. The 41-year-old confirmed his decision in a video posted on social media, accompanied by the caption, "Portugal will always be in me." He said he would hand back the No. 7 shirt after the November international break, ending a 23-year journey with the national team.
"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.
Portugal estará sempre em mim https://t.co/dnFj51rxmh
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 5, 2026
The announcement comes after Ronaldo walked out of the Portugal camp last month after being informed that he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark. The Portuguese captain was subsequently was fined $285 and handed a 30-day suspension for leaving the camp, which he accepted.
“Throughout my entire career with the national team I always pushed myself beyond my limits. 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.
“There were perfect afternoons and nights. 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. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.”
“Today I finish my walk on the pitch with the national team. I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took, and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal. The goals pass, the cups are in museums, the records end up being beaten. But there is something that time can never erase, the place we occupy in people’s hearts,” the 41-year-old said in his retirement video.
Ronaldo led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory and remains international football's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances. He also won the 2018/19 and 2024/25 UEFA Nations League titles.
“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, Portuguese people living abroad, who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who have become part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people."
"To the Portuguese people. The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. 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," Ronaldo said. "A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to and end."
Ronaldo also thanked his teammates, coaches, family and Portuguese supporters around the world, reflecting on the sacrifices, victories and defeats that shaped his international career. "Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for having believed in me. Portugal will always be in me. Forever."
Ronaldo’s announcement comes shortly after his long-time rival Lionel Messi also called time on his international career with Argentina.
