Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty after 23 years and record 146 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced on social media on November 5, 2026, that he is retiring from Portugal's national team after 23 years, 234 appearances and a world-record 146 goals. He said he was handing back the number seven shirt, calling it a decision made with the heart as well as the mind. The announcement followed a September fallout with coach Jorge Jesus, who benched him for Nations League matches, prompting Ronaldo to leave the camp without permission; he received a 30-day sanction already served and a 255-euro fine. Tributes came from Portugal's president, UEFA and teammates, while the federation said it wants to organize a fitting celebration.
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Ronaldo Retires from Portugal National Team After 23 Years
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced his retirement from Portugal's national team after 23 years, 234 appearances and 146 goals, both world records. In an emotional Instagram statement, he said he was returning the number 7 shirt and leaving with his head held high. Tributes came from President António José Seguro, UEFA and teammates. However, the article notes the retirement was shadowed by a rift with national coach Jorge Jesus: Ronaldo left the team camp overnight in September after being benched for Nations League matches and flew to Madrid, later criticizing the coach. Federation president Pedro Proença said Ronaldo remains "forever our captain." Ronaldo won Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, but never a World Cup; his last World Cup ended in a round-of-16 loss to Spain.
Read sourceRonaldo retires from Portugal duty after 23 years and 146 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has announced his retirement from international football after 23 years, 234 caps and a record 146 goals for Portugal. The BBC's Guillem Balague reports the decision followed a fallout with coach Jorge Jesus, who benched him and did not plan to start him, prompting Ronaldo to leave the training camp without permission; he received a 30-day sanction already served and a 255-euro fine. His last appearance was on 24 September against Wales. Balague frames the exit as partly another reaction to a coach questioning his place, while tracing how Ronaldo evolved from an immature teenager into a captain who adapted under Fernando Santos and led Portugal to Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles. The column credits him with transforming Portugal into a team expecting to contend at every tournament, though noting the ending leaves a bitter taste.
Read sourceCristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal national team
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially ended his career with the Portuguese national team, the 41-year-old forward announced on social media. Ronaldo, who won the 2016 European Championship with Portugal and claimed the UEFA Nations League twice, confirmed the decision in a post on his social media channels. The announcement marks the close of his international playing career, during which he was a central figure for Portugal. The report did not specify further details about the timing of his final appearance or his future plans.
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Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal international football at 41
Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo announced he is retiring from international football at age 41, ending a 23-year career in which he scored a world-record 146 goals and earned 234 caps since his 2003 debut. In an Instagram video, Ronaldo said the time had come to hand back the number seven shirt, calling it a decision made with the heart as well as the mind. The announcement follows his September walkout from the Portugal camp after being told he would not start a Nations League match against Denmark. Portugal are set to name their squad for November's Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales. The Portuguese Football Federation said it refuses to let the farewell pass without due tribute and wants to organize a fitting celebration of his career. The news comes after rival Lionel Messi retired from international football in October.
Read sourceCristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal national team after 234 caps
Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old record caps holder, announced his retirement from the Portugal national team via a social media message, ending a 23-year international career. In the video, Ronaldo said the day had come to return the number 7 shirt, calling it a decision made with both head and heart, and stated Portugal will always be part of him. The announcement follows a public dispute with national coach Jorge Jesus, who benched Ronaldo during a Nations League match against Norway in September, prompting Ronaldo to leave the national camp. Ronaldo played 234 international matches, scoring 146 goals, and appeared in five World Cups and six European Championships. He won Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League with Portugal but never lifted the World Cup, with the 2026 tournament ending in a round-of-16 loss to Spain. His retirement follows that of longtime rival Lionel Messi from Argentina's national team.
Read sourceCristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portugal National Team
Cristiano Ronaldo, the record-breaking Portuguese footballer, has announced his retirement from the national team after 234 appearances. In a message shared on social media, the 41-year-old said the time had come to pass on the number seven jersey, describing the decision as one made with both head and heart. The announcement follows a public dispute with national coach Jorge Jesus, who benched Ronaldo during a Nations League match against Norway in September. Ronaldo, a five-time world footballer of the year, played for Portugal for 23 years, participating in five World Cups and six European Championships. He scored 146 goals in 234 international matches and led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League. He stated that Portugal will always be a part of him.
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