On Thursday, November 5, the legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, widely known as CR7, announced his retirement from the Portugal national team, officially marking the end of a remarkable era in his international career. This journey spanned six World Cups, during which he not only claimed the UEFA European Championship but also set the record for the most goals scored by a player for a national team.
In a heartfelt video released on social media, Ronaldo shared his decision to retire, concluding an illustrious career that began over twenty years ago, prior to the UEFA Euro 2004. The end of this chapter arrived after a disagreement with national team coach Jorge Jesus, prompting him to step away from the squad.
“Today is the day I return the number 7 jersey to the Portugal national team,” the 41-year-old Ronaldo said in the extensive video, “I have never considered this jersey as solely mine. For the past 23 years, I have had the honor of wearing this shirt and bearing the responsibility of representing it, competing in stadiums around the world.”
“It is now time for me to pass it on to the future. Making this decision was not easy because some decisions come not just from rational thinking but from the heart. This journey, which began in August 2003 and has profoundly changed my life, concludes here.”
Despite his retirement from international play, Ronaldo intends to continue his club career, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. After the end of this season, he is expected to conclude his tenure at the club.
Ronaldo is also closing in on his professional career’s milestone of 1000 goals, having netted 985 goals to date, which includes 146 goals scored in 234 appearances for the Portuguese national team, establishing a significant record in the sport.
In contrast to his long-time rival Lionel Messi, who retired from the Argentina national team following a highly publicized farewell match last month, Ronaldo’s final appearance for Portugal came on September 24 during a UEFA Nations League match, where Portugal edged out Wales 1-0.
Subsequently, in following matches, Coach Jesus opted to bench him and indicated that he would not be starting in the next game, leading Ronaldo to decide to leave the national team camp. Jesus later stated that Ronaldo would be welcomed back at any time, with the decision to return resting solely with him.
The Portuguese Football Federation released a statement expressing “deep gratitude and immense respect” for Ronaldo’s contributions to the national team.
“The impact Ronaldo has had on the international reputation of Portugal is unprecedented, inspiring countless young dreams to follow in his footsteps. For many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!” the federation added.
Furthermore, plans are underway to host a tribute event for Ronaldo, offering fans across the nation a chance to celebrate and applaud this extraordinary athlete for his exceptional dedication and service.
Ronaldo made his national team debut in a friendly against Kazakhstan in 2003, coming on as a substitute for Luís Figo. At that time, Portugal had not won any major tournament titles.
Over the years, he battled alongside some of the most talented teammates, transforming the Portuguese national team into a formidable presence in international competitions.
Under his influence, the team won the UEFA Euro 2016 title and the Nations League championships in both 2019 and 2025.
Reflecting on his national team career, Ronaldo stated, “Throughout my time with the national team, I have continually challenged myself and pushed beyond my limits. I have always thirsted for victory, pursued excellence, and aspired to create history.”
“I have always set high standards for myself, never settling for the status quo, firmly believing we could go even further. I have poured everything I have into this jersey,” he asserted.
Prior to the Ronaldo era, Portugal had only advanced to the World Cup knockout stages three times — in 1966, 1986, and 2002. However, since his inclusion in the national team, Portugal has qualified for every World Cup since then.
The same can be said for the European Championship. Before the Ronaldo era, Portugal participated in only three editions having made appearances in 1984, 1996, and 2000; however, since then, they have been a consistent presence in the tournament. In 2004, during the Euro hosted on home soil, Ronaldo made his tournament debut and ultimately ended up as a runner-up with the team.
In the World Cup arena, Ronaldo helped Portugal reach the semi-finals in their first tournament appearance in 2006. Since then, the team has consistently been considered among the favorites, although their best performance ended in the quarter-finals in 2022.
“I have experienced perfect afternoons and nights, unforgettable victories, and painful defeats that still resonate with me,” Ronaldo narrated, “I have made mistakes and faced challenges. There were times I did not deliver everything the Portuguese people yearned for. Yet, I have never given up and have always felt pride representing Portugal.”
The best result for the Portuguese national team in World Cup history remains the third-place finish in 1966, led by the legendary Eusébio; it was their only appearance before 1986.
From 2004 to 2026, Ronaldo scored consistently for the national squad, becoming the first male footballer to reach 200 caps for his country. He currently holds the record for the most appearances in international men’s football with 234 caps.
Additionally, Ronaldo maintains the highest records for most appearances (30 times) and most goals (14 goals) in the history of the European Championship.
In the farewell video, Ronaldo personally read out his retirement statement. The video showcased spectacular highlights of his time representing the national team, complemented by the images of passionate Portuguese fans.
“I have spent my life striving to be the best player in the world,” he concluded in the video, “Now I realize that my greatest victory has been the privilege of representing one of the most beautiful countries in the world.”
“Thank you for accompanying me over these 23 years. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for allowing me to realize the dream that was sparked during my childhood on the island of Madeira when I chased after a football. The number 7 jersey will always be cherished, and the pride of having worn it will accompany me throughout my life.”