Portugal's Golden Era: Ronaldo Ends 23-Year National Career
The 41-year-old forward retires from international soccer after scoring 146 goals and leading the team to three major trophies, though he remains at Al-Nassr.
By Samir Patterson ·
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, a record that now closes the chapter on his international career. On Thursday, the 41-year-old forward announced he will no longer play for the national team, ending a tenure that spanned six World Cups and included a European Championship title.
The announcement came via a video message on social media where Ronaldo spoke directly to the Portuguese public. He described the decision as difficult, noting that it was made with both mind and heart. "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team," he said. He added that the journey which began in August 2003 has finally come to an end.
Ronaldo’s departure from the national squad followed a brief conflict with coach Jorge Jesus. After sitting on the bench during a recent match, Jesus indicated he did not plan to start Ronaldo in the next fixture. In response, Ronaldo left the team’s training camp. Jesus later stated the door remained open for Ronaldo’s return, but the forward chose to step away. His final appearance for Portugal was a 1-0 home victory over Wales in the Nations League on Sept. 24.
The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement expressing deep gratitude for his service. The group called Ronaldo the greatest player of all time and said he raised the country's profile while inspiring generations of young athletes. The federation plans to organize a tribute event where fans can celebrate his contributions one last time.
Before Ronaldo debuted in a 2003 friendly against Kazakhstan, Portugal had never won a major trophy. During his time in the squad, the team won the Euro 2016 title and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He became the first man to score in six World Cups and reached 11 goals at this year's tournament, surpassing the previous national record of nine held by Eusébio.
Ronaldo also holds the record for men's international appearances with 234, having been the first player to reach 200 caps. He scored for Portugal in 23 consecutive calendar years from 2004 through 2026. His record includes 30 appearances and 14 goals at the European Championship, the highest totals in that competition's history.
The forward will continue his club career with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to finish the current season. He is currently chasing his 1,000th career goal and stands at 985. In his farewell video, Ronaldo reflected on his time with the national team, saying he always pushed himself beyond his limits to win and make history. He concluded by thanking fans for allowing him to live a dream that began when he was a boy in Madeira.
Portugal qualified for the World Cup every time during Ronaldo's tenure, a stark contrast to the three appearances before his debut. The team’s best result remains third place in 1966, but under Ronaldo, Portugal became a regular contender, reaching the quarterfinals in 2022. The No. 7 shirt will now be passed on to a future generation, while Ronaldo remains focused on his final season with his club.
