Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's most decorated footballer, announced on Thursday that he will no longer represent the national team, bringing an end to a 23-year international career that included a European Championship title and the men's all-time scoring record.
In a lengthy video message posted on social media, the 41-year-old forward said: "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 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."
Ronaldo's final appearance for Portugal came on 24 September in a 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales in Lisbon. Coach Jorge Jesus left him on the bench for the following match and indicated he would not start him in the next one, prompting Ronaldo to leave the team's training camp. The Portuguese federation later confirmed that Ronaldo had been banned for 30 days after his departure.
A career that redefined Portuguese football
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003, just before Euro 2004, where the hosts reached the final but lost to Greece. Over the next two decades, he became the face of Portuguese football, leading the team to the European title in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019. He also set the record for most international goals by a male player, a mark that may stand for generations.
His departure mirrors that of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, who retired from Argentina duty last month after a farewell match. Unlike Messi, Ronaldo's exit was not marked by a grand send-off. Instead, it came after a public falling-out with the coach, a sour note to an otherwise storied career.
Jorge Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and that the decision to return was his own. But the forward chose to end his international chapter, leaving the Portuguese federation to express its gratitude.
"Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal's profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!"
The federation said it plans to organise a tribute "in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much."
Ronaldo will continue playing at club level, with his contract at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr expected to run until the end of the season. His retirement from international duty closes a chapter for Portuguese football, but his influence on the sport and on his country's identity is likely to endure.
As Portugal looks ahead, the focus will shift to a new generation of players, many of whom grew up idolising Ronaldo. The national team's next challenge comes in the Nations League, where they will aim to build on their recent form without their iconic captain.
