Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his Portugal career after more than two decades, six World Cups and a European Championship triumph.
The 41-year-old confirmed he would no longer represent Portugal in a video message, following a falling-out with head coach Jorge Jesus. His final appearance for the national team came in a 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales on September 24.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said. “I never felt it belonged to me alone but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.”
He added: “Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”
Ronaldo was left on the bench by Jesus for Portugal’s next match, with the coach saying he did not intend to start him in the following game. Ronaldo subsequently left the team’s training camp.
Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome to return and that the decision was his. The Portuguese football federation responded by expressing “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for the forward’s service to the country.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal’s profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!” the federation said.
The federation said it would organise a tribute at which supporters and the country could “one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much”.
Ronaldo will continue playing at club level and is expected to end his club career with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia at the end of this season. He is pursuing 1,000 career goals and has scored 985, including a record 146 for Portugal in 234 appearances.
