Cristiano Ronaldo, football player, at 41, scored a world record 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal and won the 2016 European Championship as well as two Nations League titles.
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 aged 18 and went on to play in six World Cups, a record he shares with Lionel Messi, as well as six European Championships, two Nations League finals, and a Confederations Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo retirement comes just weeks after his explosive falling-out with new manager Jorge Jesus, which ended with Ronaldo abandoning Portugal’s camp during the most recent international break in September and October 2026.
Here is Ronaldo’s statement in full :
‘To the people of Portugal, the day has come to return the number 7 jersey of our national team. I never felt it was exclusively mine. But for 23 years, I had the privilege and the responsibility to wear it, to defend it, and to take it with me to stadiums all over the world.
‘Today has come the moment to hand it over to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made just with the head, they are also made with the heart.
‘A journey comes to an end that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever. When I look back and think about everything I experienced in the national team, I do not just see games, goals, records, or trophies. I see people. I see immigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt Portugal a little closer.
‘I see millions of Portuguese people that I never met personally, but who were part of my life. Because at the end of everything, football is much greater than a game. Football is people. Throughout my career in the national team, I sought to surpass my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history.
