Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his more than two-decade association with Portugal to an end.
The Al Nassr forward and national captain made the announcement on Thursday in a video shared on his social media accounts, addressing the Portuguese public and what he called the “Portuguese people”.
“The time has come for me to take off the number seven. I never claimed it belonged to me alone. Today, the time has come for me to pass it on,” Ronaldo said.
His Portugal career began in 2003 during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2004 and developed into one of the most statistically significant international careers in football.
Ronaldo made 234 appearances for his country, initially wearing number 17 before taking the number seven shirt after Luis Figo retired. He scored 146 goals and registered 46 assists for Portugal.
He won three major honours with the national team: Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Reflecting on his decision, Ronaldo said the end of his international career represented far more than the conclusion of a series of matches and achievements.
“Some decisions are not made only with the mind. Some are also made with the heart. A journey that began and marked my life forever is coming to an end,” he said.
“When I look back at everything I experienced with the national team, I do not see only matches, goals, records or trophies. I see Portuguese people who, for 90 minutes, are close to me. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met, but who became part of my life.
“Throughout my career, I pushed my limits. I always wanted to be better and I always wanted to win.”
The player developed at Sporting CP also used his message to thank the team-mates alongside whom he represented Portugal.
“I am proud to have been the captain, a captain who does not walk alone,” he said.
Ronaldo also praised every coach and member of the national-team staff he worked with during his career. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player credited them with the work they contributed to the history of Portugal’s national side.