End of an era for No. 7, greatest goal machine Cristiano bids farewell to Portugal football
- 146 goals, 234 games, 23 years, Ronaldo closes Portugal chapter after legendary journey
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 23-year career with Portugal in which he scored 146 goals in 234 appearances to become the highest-scoring player in international football history.
The 41-year-old forward announced his decision in a video shared on social media, confirming that he would no longer wear Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt.
“The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said. “For 23 years, I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world. Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future.”
Describing the decision as an emotional one, Ronaldo said his journey with Portugal, which began in August 2003, had changed his life forever. He added that his memories extended far beyond matches, goals, records and trophies, highlighting the people and supporters who had accompanied him throughout his international career.
“I see the Portuguese people living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who became part of my life,” he said, stressing that football was about people and much more than just a game.
Ronaldo’s announcement comes amid controversy surrounding his recent departure from Portugal’s national team camp during last month’s international break. He had reportedly accused manager Jorge Jesus of breaking his word twice after leaving him on the bench as an unused substitute against Norway.
The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently imposed a 30-day suspension and a fine of €255 on the forward. However, Jesus had not ruled out the possibility of Ronaldo returning to the national team.
The latest announcement, however, makes clear that Ronaldo has decided to bring his international career to a permanent close, following Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s final appearance for his country last month.
Ronaldo leaves behind an unprecedented international legacy, having established himself as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
