According to a post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo on Instagram on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has paid tribute to the Portuguese superstar following his decision to retire from international football after an illustrious 23-year career with his country.

The 41-year-old officially announced his retirement through an emotional video posted across his social media platforms, confirming that he would no longer represent Portugal at international level.

His announcement generated widespread reactions from footballers, former teammates, football clubs and supporters around the world, with many taking the opportunity to celebrate his remarkable achievements and acknowledge his lasting influence on the sport.

Among those who reacted was Brazilian international Vinicius Junior, who shared a brief but emotional message in the comments section of Ronaldo's Instagram post.

The Real Madrid attacker wrote, "Forever number 1!!!!!!", expressing his admiration for the legendary forward and recognising the incredible legacy he has established throughout his football career.

Vinicius' tribute is particularly meaningful given Ronaldo's legendary status at Real Madrid, where he spent nine successful years and established himself as one of the greatest players in the club's history. The two footballers also shared the dressing room during the 2018/19 campaign, when the Brazilian youngster was beginning to establish himself in European football.

Ronaldo arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009 and enjoyed an extraordinary spell with the Spanish giants before completing a move to Juventus in 2018. His remarkable achievements in Madrid have continued to inspire younger players, with Vinicius among those who have openly demonstrated admiration for his influence.

The Portuguese captain leaves international football with an outstanding record of 234 appearances and 146 goals, making him the most-capped male international footballer and the highest goalscorer in men's international football history.

He also enjoyed considerable success with Portugal, leading the national team to victory at the 2016 European Championship before helping them secure UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

Despite bringing his international career to an end, Ronaldo has no immediate plans to retire from professional football. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is expected to continue his playing career with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.