Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the international stage

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he will be retiring from international football, marking the end of a distinguished career with the Portugal national team. The 41-year-old revealed that he would 'hand back the number 7 shirt' following the November international break. Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major trophy by winning Euro 2016 and contributed to their victories in the 2019 and 2025 Nations Leagues.

In a social media post, Ronaldo admitted that the decision was not solely based on logic but also on emotion. He expressed that if his performances brought joy, inspired his fans, or boosted national pride, it was all worthwhile. Ronaldo extended his gratitude to his family, the Portuguese people, teammates, coaches, and staff. He emphasized that Portugal will remain a significant part of his life.

Ronaldo made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring 146 goals, setting records for the most international appearances and goals. He is the first player to score in six World Cup editions and is the only player to have featured at six global tournaments. Ronaldo's departure from the international stage comes after he left the team without permission in September, citing broken promises from manager Jorge Jesus.

The Portuguese Football Federation fined Ronaldo €255 ($287.16) and suspended him for 30 days. Despite his suspension, Portugal remains optimistic as they host Denmark in the Nations League on November 14, Ronaldo's last chance to add to his international records.