Cristiano Ronaldo ends Portugal career with 234 caps and 146 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a remarkable 18-year career with Portugal's national team. The 41-year-old delivered an emotional Instagram video, confirming his decision to no longer represent his country. Ronaldo concluded his retirement announcement with the caption, “Portugal estará sempre em mim,” which means “Portugal will always be in me.”

As Portugal's all-time top goalscorer and most-capped player, Ronaldo scored a total of 146 goals in 234 appearances for the national team. His international journey started in 2003 and solidified his status as an influential figure in Portuguese football. Ronaldo's crowning achievement was leading Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016, and he played a significant role in their victories in the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

The retirement announcement comes after an intense period for Ronaldo, who left the national team's training camp in September due to a reported disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus. He later clarified his stance in a lengthy Instagram post, maintaining that he was not retiring and was still available for selection. Ronaldo had previously contemplated ending his international career after the 2026 World Cup, even drafting a farewell letter before convincing Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença to reconsider his decision.

With this latest announcement, Ronaldo's illustrious international career comes to a close, leaving behind records that may remain unmatched for years to come.