Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday he won’t play for Portugal anymore, ending a profession that spanned six World Cups and included a European title and the males’s all-time worldwide scoring report.
The announcement marked the finish of a lauded profession that started more than 20 years in the past before Euro 2004 and completed with him strolling out on the nationwide workforce after falling out with coach Jorge Jesus.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team,” the 41-year-old Ronaldo said in a lengthy video message on social media. “I never felt it belonged to me alone but for 23 years I had the privilege and the accountability of sporting it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.
Portugal ahead Cristiano Ronaldo warms up forward of a World Cup match against Spain in Arlington, Texas, on July 6, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”
Portugal plans tribute to ‘greatest of all time’
While long-time peer Lionel Messi completed his profession with Argentina after a much anticipated farewell match last month, Ronaldo’s ultimate look with Portugal has ended up being on Sept. 24 in a 1-0 win over Wales in the Nations League.
Jesus stored him on the bench for the following match and said he didn’t plan to begin him in the next one, so Ronaldo determined to depart the workforce’s coaching camp.
Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and the resolution to return was up to him.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after teammate Nuno Mendes scores a purpose against Spain in the UEFA Nations League ultimate in Munich, on June 8, 2025. Getty Images
Cristiano Rinaldo announced his retirement from worldwide play in a video posted on social media on Nov. 5, 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo / Instagram
The Portuguese soccer federation launched a assertion expressing “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for Ronaldo’s service to the nation.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal’s profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!” the federation said.
It said it intends to set up a tribute to Ronaldo “in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much.”
Like Messi, Ronaldo will preserve enjoying at membership stage, and is expected to end his membership profession at the finish of this season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
He is in pursuit of his 1,000th profession purpose and sits on 985. Of these, a report 146 targets came in 234 appearances with Portugal.
This is a growing story. Please examine back for updates.
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