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Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his 23-year international career with Portugal, confirming his retirement in an emotional video posted on social media. The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward leaves the national team as the most-capped player and highest scorer in men's international football, with 234 appearances and 146 goals.

 

Ronaldo said Portugal's famous No. 7 shirt would now pass to the next generation. His announcement closes a career filled with records, major trophies and defining moments, although his final months with the national side were marked by a strained relationship with head coach Jorge Jesus.

 

In his farewell message, Ronaldo thanked Portuguese supporters, including those who travelled around the world to watch him play. He also remembered his family and the team-mates from different generations who shared his international journey.

 

 

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“Today my journey on the pitch with the national team comes to an end. I leave with my head held high, proud of the path I walked and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal,” Ronaldo said.

 

He added that the pride of wearing the No. 7 shirt would remain with him forever and that Portugal would always be part of his identity.

Dispute with Jorge Jesus preceded retirement

Ronaldo's retirement follows a difficult spell involving Jesus. Tensions became public during Portugal's 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on September 27, when Ronaldo remained on the bench for the full match.

 

Ronaldo later said he had originally been told that he would be rested for the away fixtures against Norway and Denmark as part of a fitness-management plan. He claimed that Jesus subsequently informed him that he would play approximately 30 minutes against Norway. Ronaldo warmed up from half-time but was not introduced.

 

The disagreement also involved how the decision would be explained publicly. Ronaldo said he and Jesus had agreed that the coach would make clear that he had not demanded to play and that his limited involvement had been planned. Jesus's press conference comments, according to Ronaldo, did not reflect that understanding.

 

Jesus maintained that team selection was his responsibility and rejected the suggestion that the episode represented a major breakdown. After speaking with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca, Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen before the match against Denmark.

 

The walkout attracted criticism in Portugal because Ronaldo was the team's captain. He later apologised to his team-mates and supporters, acknowledged that leaving the camp had been a mistake and asked the federation not to treat him differently because of his status.

 

The federation imposed a 30-day suspension and a fine of 255 euros. The sanction was backdated, allowing Ronaldo to remain eligible for Portugal's subsequent matches.

 

After completing the suspension, Ronaldo had indicated that he still wanted to represent Portugal. He had also considered continuing until the 2026 World Cup, but said Proenca persuaded him to rethink that plan. His latest announcement ends those expectations, although Ronaldo has not stated that the disagreement with Jesus was the reason for his retirement.

A record-breaking Portugal career

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut against Kazakhstan in August 2003. At 19, he was part of the team that reached the Euro 2004 final on home soil. He scored during the tournament, but Portugal lost the final to Greece.

 

Portugal later reached the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012, with Ronaldo becoming an increasingly central figure. By Euro 2016, he was captain and the leading face of Portuguese football.

 

He was forced off with a knee injury during the first half of the Euro 2016 final against France, but continued encouraging his team-mates from the touchline. Eder scored in extra time to give Portugal their first European Championship title, with Ronaldo lifting the trophy as captain.

 

Portugal won the inaugural Nations League in 2019, with Ronaldo scoring a semi-final hat-trick against Switzerland before the team defeated the Netherlands in the final. Six years later, he scored against Spain as Portugal won the competition for a second time after a penalty shootout.

• Euro 2016: Captained Portugal to their first European Championship title and scored three goals in the tournament.
• Nations League 2019: Scored a semi-final hat-trick against Switzerland as Portugal won the inaugural edition.
• Nations League 2025: Scored in the final against Spain as Portugal secured their second title.
• International goals: 146, the highest total in men's international football.
• International appearances: 234, a men's world record.
• World Cup record: Became the first player to score at six different editions of the tournament in 2026.
• European Championship record: Holds the records for most goals, with 14, and most appearances, with 30, in the competition.

World Cup title remained out of reach

The FIFA World Cup was the major international honour Ronaldo did not win. Portugal's strongest finish during his career came in 2006, when the team reached the semi-finals. The 2022 quarter-final loss to Morocco and the 2026 round-of-16 defeat by Spain were among the most difficult results of his Portugal career.

 

Ronaldo's influence, however, extended beyond the trophies he won. He became the central figure of Portugal's national team across multiple generations, inspiring supporters and helping the country establish itself as a regular contender in international football.

 

His international story stretched from the teenager who cried after Portugal's defeat in the Euro 2004 final to the captain who lifted the European Championship trophy in 2016.

 

Ronaldo's focus now turns to another personal milestone. The Al Nassr forward is closing in on 1,000 career goals, with his overall tally at 979 according to the latest available figures.

 

Portugal will now begin life without the player who led the side for much of the past two decades. Ronaldo leaves with 234 caps, 146 goals, one European Championship and two Nations League titles. Another player will take the No. 7 shirt, but matching his contribution to Portuguese football will be a considerable challenge.