Cristiano Ronaldo Retires From Portugal After 23 Years

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football. The 41-year-old announced the decision on social media on Thursday morning, 5 November.

He ends his career with Portugal after 23 years. His caption read: "Portugal will always be in me."

The decision comes after a fall-out with head coach Jorge Jesus during the previous international break.

A Record 146 Goals in 234 Games for Portugal

Sky Sports calls his tally record-breaking: 146 goals in 234 caps. He is first in the world for both goals and appearances in men's international football.

That is about 0.62 goals per game, according to Sky Sports data.

His best scoring year was 2019, with 14 goals in 10 games. In 2016 and 2017, he scored one goal per game.

Euro 2016 and Two Nations League Titles Across 12 Major Tournaments

Ronaldo won Euro 2016 with Portugal. He also won the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

He made his debut in August 2003. He went on to play at six World Cups and six European Championships.

Portugal left the most recent World Cup in the round of 16. Spain, the eventual champions, beat them 1-0.

The Al Nassr forward had said the tournament would be his last. He later added that he would not make any rash decisions.

He also admitted in the last international break that he had considered quitting after the World Cup.

According to a statement on Instagram, he had already written a retirement statement. On the plane back from North America, federation president Pedro Proença talked him out of it.

Ronaldo Hands Back the Number 7 Shirt in a Thursday Statement

The statement opens with a message to the Portuguese people. He wrote that "the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt to the national team."

He described a decision of the heart. "It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone," he wrote. "They are also made with the heart."

"I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today, I realise my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world."

Cristiano Ronaldo, in his retirement statement

He thanked his team-mates, coaches and staff, his family and supporters around the world. "I had the privilege of being your captain, but no captain walks alone," he wrote.

He also spoke of Portuguese people living abroad. He wrote that, for ninety minutes, they "felt a little closer to home."

In His Farewell, Ronaldo Recalls Running After a Football in Madeira

Near the end, Ronaldo returned to his childhood on Madeira. He thanked fans "for allowing me to live a dream that began when I was just a little boy in Madeira running after a football."

"The number 7 shirt shall remain. The pride of having worn it will be mine forever," he wrote. He ended with a final goodbye: "Farewell, until we meet again."

Federation Plans a Tribute After His Final Game, a 1-0 Win Over Wales

The Portuguese Football Federation paid tribute to its former captain. It said a fitting tribute will follow in the future.

According to Sky Sports, his last game for Portugal was a 1-0 win against Wales.

"More than just an outstanding athlete, our captain was an inspiring leader, an example of dedication, and the ultimate symbol of the spirit of our national team."

Portuguese Football Federation, in a statement

The federation also looked ahead to his next goal target: "Let's go for goal 1,000!"

Four Players and Three Clubs Pay Tribute to Ronaldo

Bruno Fernandes said: "Thank you for the inspiration. It was a privilege to share great moments for our team with my childhood idol."

Diogo Dalot said: "You made us dream, you made us believe, you made us win. Thank you idol."

Neymar called him a "Legend."

Pepe said: "It was more than just football. Thank you for everything, Cris."

Manchester United said: "Congratulations on an incredible international career, Cristiano. Enjoy your retirement."

Juventus said: "Congratulations on an incredible journey with Portugal, Cristiano."

Sporting CP said: "Thank you for everything you did for our nation. Forever in the history of Portugal."

Benched in a 2-1 Win Over Norway, He Left Camp Before Denmark

Jesus took over from Roberto Martínez after the World Cup. The new coach's first games were Nations League fixtures in September and October.

Ronaldo started the first game, the 1-0 win against Wales. He was then benched for a 2-1 win against Norway and did not come on.

On the eve of the game against Denmark on 1 October, Ronaldo left the national team camp. Rumours followed that he was about to retire.

Jesus denied any rift between the two. But Ronaldo said in a statement on Instagram that the coach had broken promises.

According to Ronaldo, Jesus had told him on the day of the game that he would play 30 minutes against Norway.

Ronaldo described the match: "Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from half-time onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn't called on," he said. "The coach had broken his word to me."

An Eight-Point Document and a Second Broken Promise, Ronaldo Says

Ronaldo and Jesus, who once worked together at Al Nassr, met after the Norway game. Al Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho was also there.

According to Ronaldo's statement, Jesus agreed to say that his captain never demanded minutes. Jesus would also say it was a mistake to let him warm up without bringing him on.

Ronaldo says an eight-point document summed up a later meeting. It involved Jesus, Coutinho and Tiago Craveiro, the player's strategic adviser.

Ronaldo felt the coach's next press conference did not match their talk. He claims the talk ended with Jesus asking him for a hug.

"It was the second time he had broken his word to me. I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises," Ronaldo said. Jesus later denied any such agreement at a press conference.

Ronaldo Received a 30-Day Ban and a £215 Fine

Ronaldo still admitted he should never have left the camp, "despite the absolute breach of trust" from Jesus.

He apologised to his team-mates and the Portuguese people. He said he would accept any punishment from the federation.

The federation then gave him a 30-day ban and a £215 fine. Times of Madeira reported on the ban in October.

Source: skysports.com