Lisbon, Portugal: Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, a legend synonymous with Portuguese football, has officially retired from international play, concluding an illustrious 23-year career. The 38-year-old striker, currently with Al-Nassr, announced his decision via a heartfelt Instagram video message on Thursday, November 5, reflecting on his journey and expressing profound gratitude for representing his nation.

Ronaldo, who debuted for Portugal in August 2003 against Kazakhstan, emphasized that his international career was a life-changing experience. He spoke of passing on the iconic number 7 jersey to the next generation, stating, “I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years, I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it... Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future.” He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, highlighting it was made with both mind and heart.

With a record 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, Ronaldo underscored that his journey transcended statistics. He cherished the emotional connection with supporters worldwide, stating, “football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.” He reiterated his relentless pursuit of excellence, always striving to win, improve, and make history for his country. Despite triumphs and setbacks, he never lost pride in representing Portugal, valuing the happiness he brought to fans above individual accolades.

In his farewell, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner urged young Portuguese players to dream big and continue forging new milestones. He extended heartfelt thanks to his teammates, coaches, and support staff, recognizing their crucial roles. Ronaldo also expressed deep gratitude to his family for their sacrifices. He concluded by affirming that representing Portugal was his greatest victory, and the pride of wearing the number 7 will remain with him forever.

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