Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal national team
The Portuguese forward ended his international career after 23 years of representing his country.
Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday his intention to retire from the national team in a social media post. The announcement marks the end of an international career that began in August 2003, according to a report by the Times of India.
In an 866-word message, Ronaldo stated that the time has come for him to hand back the number 7 shirt of the national team. He noted that he had the privilege and responsibility of wearing the shirt for 23 years.
Ronaldo holds the record for the most international appearances by a men's footballer with 234 caps and has scored 146 goals for his nation. His international career included winning the 2016 European Championship and two Nations League titles.
His final appearance for Portugal came on July 6, 2026, during a World Cup match against Spain. In that tournament, he scored three goals before the nation exited in the Round of 16.
While he is stepping away from international football, Ronaldo will continue playing at the club level. He is currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and is working towards reaching 1,000 career goals.