Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international football, drawing the curtain on an extraordinary 23-year career with Portugal. The 41-year-old forward confirmed his decision in a emotional video message shared across his social media channels, stating that the time had come to hand back the iconic number 7 shirt to the national team.
Ronaldo leaves the international stage as the most prolific goalscorer and most-capped player in men’s international football history, boasting 146 goals across 234 appearances. Since making his debut in August 2003, he spearheaded Portugal to historic achievements, including their Euro 2016 triumph and two UEFA Nations League titles, while becoming the only player to score in six different World Cup tournaments.
In his farewell message, Ronaldo declared that it was time to pass the baton to the next generation, noting that the decision was made with both mind and heart. Following the announcement, the Portuguese Football Federation affirmed its commitment to organizing a comprehensive national tribute to honor the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s unmatched contributions to Portuguese sports.
