Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from the Portugal national team, bringing the curtain down on one of the most prolific international careers in sports history. The 41-year-old forward confirmed he will officially step away and hand back the number seven shirt following the conclusion of the November international window.

Ronaldo’s 23-year tenure with the Seleção concludes with 234 appearances and an all-time world record 146 international goals, having captained Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 alongside Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. “It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart,” Ronaldo stated. “If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it.”

The announcement follows a 30-day suspension issued by the Portuguese Football Federation following a dispute with manager Jorge Jesus in September. Ronaldo will have two final opportunities to add to his international statistics during Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales. In an official tribute, the federation celebrated him as “the ultimate symbol of the soul of our National Team,” while Ronaldo reflected, “I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today I realise that my greatest victory was having deserved the honour of representing the best country in the world.”

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