Sports

Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portugal National Team

By Saumyajit Basu

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he will retire from international football, ending a 23‑year career with the Portugal national team. In an 866‑word post on social media, the 41‑year‑old said, "The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the 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 …" He added that his journey, which began in August 2003, has come to an end.

Ronaldo made his international debut in 2003 and has earned 234 caps, scoring 146 goals – the most of any male footballer. He has played in six World Cups (2006‑2026), becoming the oldest player in a World Cup knockout match at 41. He also won the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal.

During the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo scored three goals as Portugal exited in the Round of 16. His final appearance came in a match against Spain on July 6, 2026, where he was the oldest player on the field.

Ronaldo will continue to play at club level for Al‑Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to finish his club career at the end of the season. He is currently 985 goals into his career and is chasing his 1,000th.

In his farewell message, Ronaldo reflected on the legacy of his career, noting that while goals, trophies and records will eventually fade, the place he holds in people’s hearts will endure.