Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest careers in the history of the game. The 41-year-old Portugal captain made the announcement in a video posted on social media on Thursday, November 5, ending a 23-year journey in which he became the most capped and highest-scoring player in men’s international football.
Ronaldo leaves the national team with 234 appearances and 146 goals, according to Al Jazeera and ABC News. He will continue his club career with Saudi side Al Nassr.
An Emotional Goodbye
In the video, Ronaldo described the decision as a difficult one, made with his heart as well as his head, and thanked his teammates, coaches, family and the Portuguese fans. “Portugal will always be a part of me,” he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
He also said he was handing back the famous number 7 shirt, which he said had never felt like his alone but belonged to everyone, ABC News reported.
Row With Coach Jorge Jesus
The announcement follows a public falling-out with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo’s last appearance for his country came on September 24, a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales. Jesus then left him on the bench for the next match and indicated he would not start the following game either, prompting Ronaldo to leave the team camp.
In his statement, Ronaldo admitted that walking out was not the best way to handle the situation, but accused the coach of breaking his word more than once, according to ABC News. Jesus, for his part, told Portuguese media that he had asked Ronaldo to stay and that the forward would always have a place in the hearts of the Portuguese people.
A Record-Breaking Career
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut as an 18-year-old in August 2003, scoring his first international goal at Euro 2004 on home soil. His greatest moment in a Portugal shirt came at Euro 2016 in France, when he captained the team to the country’s first major trophy. He also led Portugal to UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
At club level, he has won the Ballon d’Or five times and starred for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus before joining Al Nassr in late 2022. Al Jazeera reports that he has scored 985 career goals and is chasing the 1,000-goal milestone.
The Portuguese Football Federation thanked him in a statement, expressing deep gratitude and calling him the greatest player of all time. It said it plans to hold a tribute so fans can applaud him one more time.
His 146 international goals put him well clear of anyone else in the men’s game, a tally built over more than two decades against opponents from every continent. He has also captained Portugal for most of his international career, becoming the face of the national team for an entire generation of fans.
End of an Era
Ronaldo’s exit comes weeks after his long-time rival Lionel Messi retired from the Argentina national team following a farewell match in October. Between them, the two players dominated world football for almost two decades.
For millions of fans in Nigeria and across Africa, where Ronaldo has a huge following, the announcement marks the end of an era. His duels with Messi, his trophies and his famous goal celebration have made him one of the most recognised sports figures on the planet.
What Happens Next
Ronaldo is expected to finish his club career with Al Nassr, where his contract runs until June 2027, though he has not confirmed when he will hang up his boots completely. Portugal will now begin life without their talisman in this month’s Nations League fixtures, while the federation works out details of its planned tribute.
Sources: Al Jazeera, ABC News (Australia), Yahoo Sports, Forbes.
