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Cristiano Ronaldo Retires From International Football at 41
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing to a close a 23-year career with Portugal in which he set world records for both appearances and goals.
Ronaldo confirmed the decision via a social media post, in which the 41-year-old said he would hand back the number 7 shirt. His international career with Portugal spanned 23 years, during which he made 234 appearances and scored a world-record 146 goals.
The departure followed a period of friction with coach Jorge Jesus, who kept Ronaldo on the bench during a Nations League match in September and indicated he did not plan to start him in the next fixture. Ronaldo subsequently left the training camp, and no return was forthcoming.
His international record stands apart from any other player in history. He holds the all-time marks for both appearances and goals at international level, captained Portugal to the Euro 2016 title, and contributed to Nations League victories in 2019 and 2025. The Portuguese football federation announced plans for a formal tribute in recognition of his service.
Ronaldo will continue playing club football with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is chasing his 1,000th career goal, currently sitting at 985.
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