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Cristiano Ronaldo releases emotional five-minute video statement confirming retirement decision
Cristiano Ronaldo releases emotional five-minute video statement confirming retirement decision

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he has retired from international football in an emotional statement.

Following Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus' decision to bench Ronaldo for the 2-1 Nations League win over Norway, the legendary striker stormed out of the national camp, casting doubts over his future playing for his country.

Since then, following a damning 1,740-word statement, it was believed that Ronaldo could maybe represent Portugal once more, but he's now announced that his international career is over.

Cristiano Ronaldo releases emotional video statement confirming international retirement

In a video shared on social media, Ronaldo said: “Today I finish my walk on the pitch with the national team. I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took, and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal.”

“The goals pass, the cups are in museums, the records end up being beaten. But there is something that time can never erase, the place we occupy in people’s hearts.

“I spent my life working to be the best player in the world. Today I realise that the greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world.

“Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for having believed in me.

“Portugal will always be in me. Forever.”

It comes ahead of the official announcement of Portugal's Nations League squad for the upcoming international break.

Ronaldo was included in the preliminary squad announced in late October.

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