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Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portuguese National Team
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an illustrious Portugal career spanning more than two decades.
The 41-year-old forward confirmed his decision on Thursday, revealing that he would officially hand back Portugal's iconic number seven shirt after the November international break.
Ronaldo retires as the highest-scoring player in men's international football, having recorded an impressive 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. He also holds the record for the most international appearances by a male footballer.
His international journey began in 2003, and over the years, he established himself as one of Portugal's most influential players and captains.
One of the biggest highlights of his career came in 2016 when he captained Portugal to their first-ever major international trophy at the European Championship. Although he was forced off injured during the final against France, his team went on to secure a historic victory.
Ronaldo also played a significant role in Portugal's triumphs in the UEFA Nations League, winning the inaugural competition in 2019 and lifting the trophy again in 2025.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also made history by featuring in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, becoming the first male footballer to achieve the milestone. He further distinguished himself by scoring in five different editions of the competition.
His final World Cup appearance came in July, when Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat against Spain in the Round of 16.
Although Ronaldo had previously indicated that the 2026 World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament, questions remained about whether he would continue representing Portugal afterwards.
His decision to retire now brings an end to an extraordinary international career characterised by goals, records, leadership and major trophies.
Ronaldo leaves behind a remarkable legacy that will remain an important chapter in Portuguese and world football history.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal Career Statistics Below
- Appearances: 234
- Goals: 146
- Assists: 45
- Major trophies: 3
- European Championship titles: 1
- UEFA Nations League titles: 2
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