Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has officially retired from from international football with immediate effect.

This comes on the back of disputes between Ronaldo and the Portugal Football Federation which led to the captain’s suspension.

Ronaldo, 41, brings to an end an international career spanning 23 years having made his debut for Portugal in August 2003.

He retires having featured 234 times for Portugal. The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend scored 146 goals and provided 45 assists.

Ronaldo is the only Portuguese player to have featured in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

He bows out having netted 11 goals in 27 matches across all six different global showpieces.

While he may have not won the FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo still enjoyed success with the Portugal national team.

The former Juventus marksman won the 2016 UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles in the 2018/19 and 2024/25 seasons.

Ronaldo’s retirement from international football follows that of Lionel Messi who also called it a day in October.

CR7’S STATEMENT IN PARTS…

“Portugal will always be part of me,” said Ronaldo.

“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team.

“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.

“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,” he continued.

“When I look back at everything I achieved with the national team I don’t just see matches, goals, records or trophies. I see people.

“I see Portuguese people living abroad who, for ninety minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met, but who became part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.