National Team Farewell: Ronaldo Steps Down
The 41-year-old striker ends a 23-year tenure with Portugal after a falling out with manager Jorge Jesus.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
Cristiano Ronaldo ended his 23-year career with the Portugal national team on Thursday. The 41-year-old announced his retirement via social media, stating he would return his number 7 jersey to the federation. This decision concludes one of the longest and most decorated international careers in football history.
Ronaldo described the choice as difficult, noting that it required both mental and emotional consideration. He reflected on his time with the team, saying that if his goals brought happiness or pride to fans, the effort was worthwhile. He thanked his family, teammates, and staff for their support throughout two decades of representation.
The split from the national squad followed a recent friction with head coach Jorge Jesus. After playing in a 1-0 win over Wales on September 24, Ronaldo was left on the bench for the subsequent match. Jesus indicated he did not plan to start Ronaldo in the next game, prompting the striker to leave the training camp. Jesus later stated that the door remained open for Ronaldo to return, but the decision to stay was up to the player.
Ronaldo holds the all-time records for both international appearances and goals. He made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals for Portugal. As captain, he led the team to its first major trophy, the 2016 European Championship. He also helped secure victory in the 2019 and 2025 Nations League tournaments.
The Portuguese Football Federation released a statement expressing deep gratitude for his service. The body called him the greatest player of all time and credited him with raising the nation's profile. It announced plans to organize a tribute event where fans can celebrate his contributions.
Ronaldo will continue playing at the club level. He is expected to finish his professional career at the end of the current season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He is currently 15 goals away from reaching 1,000 career goals, having already scored 985.
His international departure mirrors the recent timeline of Lionel Messi, who concluded his career with Argentina after a farewell match last month. Both players are exiting national duty while remaining active in club football.
