Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, bringing an end to a 23-year career with Portugal in which he became the all-time leading scorer and most-capped player in men’s international history.
The 41-year-old announced his decision on Thursday, November 5, in a video posted on Instagram. “Portugal will always be in me,” he wrote, as reported by Sky Sports.
Ronaldo will continue his club career with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, ESPN reported, and is expected to finish at the Riyadh club at the end of this season.
A record-breaking international career
Ronaldo scored 146 goals for Portugal, a record in men’s international football. He captained his country to the European Championship title in 2016 and won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. This summer he played at his sixth World Cup, a tournament he never won.
In his farewell message, he thanked his teammates, coaches, family and supporters, ending with thanks “for these 23 years”, according to Sky Sports.
Ronaldo’s Portugal career: quick facts
- Age: 41
- International career: 23 years
- Goals for Portugal: 146, the men’s international record
- Caps: more than 230, the most in men’s international football
- Major titles with Portugal: Euro 2016, UEFA Nations League 2019 and 2025
- World Cups played: six
- Individual honours: five Ballon d’Or awards
- Career goals for club and country: 985, according to ESPN, leaving him 15 short of 1,000
Why the decision came now
The announcement followed a dispute with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus during the previous international window. ESPN reported that Ronaldo walked out of the squad after a disagreement over playing time, and the Portuguese Football Federation suspended him for 30 days.
His last appearance for Portugal came on September 24 in a 1-0 win over Wales. On October 4, he was an unused substitute in a 2-1 win in Norway, which ESPN said was the first time in 18 years he had not played.
Ronaldo later apologised to his teammates for walking out and said he wanted to keep playing for Portugal. According to ESPN, he did not apologise to Jesus and accused the coach of breaking promises about his playing time. ESPN did not report a direct response from Jesus.
The retirement was announced a day before Jesus was due to name his squad for Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales.
Tributes from Portugal and former clubs
The Portuguese Football Federation paid tribute to its captain and said a fitting farewell would be organised at a later date. The federation also wished him well in his pursuit of 1,000 career goals.
Former clubs including Manchester United, Sporting CP and Juventus also posted tributes, ESPN reported.
Ronaldo’s decision comes less than a month after Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina, according to ESPN.
What it means for fans in the Gulf
For supporters in the UAE and across the Gulf, Ronaldo remains in the region as an Al Nassr player in the Saudi Pro League. His chase for a 1,000th career goal will now continue at club level only.
Portugal’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales will be the team’s first since the announcement.
Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports, Khaleej Times
