PORTUGUESE football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is set to bring his 23-year international career to an end, marking the conclusion of one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of the national team.
The 41-year-old announced his decision in an emotional statement shared on social media, saying the time had come to hand over the iconic number seven shirt he had worn with pride since making his international debut in August 2003.
“The day has come for me to hand back the number seven 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.”
Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, admitted that the decision to walk away from international football had not been easy.
“It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart,” he said.
His departure will close a chapter defined by unprecedented individual records and historic achievements for Portuguese football.
Ronaldo retires as Portugal's most-capped player, with 234 international appearances, and its leading goalscorer, having scored 146 times for his country.
More significantly, he played a central role in transforming Portugal's international standing, captaining the team to its first European Championship title in 2016.
Portugal defeated hosts France 1-0 after extra time in the final, securing a historic trophy that had eluded the country for decades.
He also helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. The first victory came against the Netherlands, while the second followed a penalty shoot-out triumph over Spain after a 2-2 draw.
These achievements established Ronaldo as a central figure in Portugal's football history and helped inspire a generation of players and supporters.
In his farewell message, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said the greatest reward of representing his country was the emotional connection he developed with Portuguese supporters.
“If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you embrace someone, forget a worry, or feel proud of your country, then it was all worth it,” he said.
His announcement comes amid reports of tensions with Portugal's new head coach, Jorge Jesus, raising questions about whether disagreements within the national team contributed to his decision.
The reported differences have fuelled speculation about Ronaldo's relationship with the technical bench and his future role in the squad.
Although the forward had previously indicated that he was not ready to retire following the reported disagreement, his latest announcement signals a change in his international ambitions.
However, the extent to which the reported tensions influenced his decision has not been independently established.
Ronaldo had earlier indicated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament, bringing an end to a career that has seen him compete at the highest level of international football for more than two decades.
His international journey began in August 2003, when he made his debut as a teenager. Since then, he has become the defining figure of Portuguese football, setting records that have made him one of the most influential players in the history of the game.
His 146 international goals remain a men's world record, while his 234 appearances place him among the most capped players in international football.
Beyond the statistics, his contribution has been measured by Portugal's emergence as a consistent contender in major international competitions and the success that followed years of near misses.
As he prepares to leave the international stage, Ronaldo has challenged the next generation of Portuguese footballers to maintain the country's ambitions.
“Portugal will always need young people who dare to dream. Players who never give up. New generations who believe it is possible to go where no one has gone before,” he said.
His retirement will leave Portugal without a player whose influence has extended beyond the pitch, having helped redefine the country's expectations and identity in international football.
For Portuguese supporters, the end of Ronaldo's international career is not simply the departure of a prolific goalscorer but the closing of an era that brought historic silverware, global recognition and memories that will remain part of the country's sporting heritage.