Cristiano Ronaldo has said he intends to retire from international football, closing a 23-year chapter with the Portugal national team. The 41-year-old made the announcement on Thursday and said he would give up his famous number 7 shirt once the November international break is over.
Ronaldo holds the all-time records for both international appearances and goals. He has played a record 234 matches for his country and scored 146 goals. He shared the decision in a lengthy Instagram video that included an emotional statement about his time in the national side.
Farewell message stresses duty and gratitude
In the statement, Ronaldo said the moment had arrived to return the shirt. “The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team,” he said. He added that he had never believed the jersey belonged to him alone, and that he had carried both the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it for 23 years.
Ronaldo described the choice as difficult, saying it was shaped by emotion as well as reason. “It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart,” he said. He thanked his family, the Portuguese public, and the teammates, coaches and staff he had worked with over the course of his national team career. In the caption of the video, he wrote that “Portugal will always be a part of me.”
Fans pay tribute across social media
The news drew a wave of emotional reaction from supporters on social media, many of whom reflected on his contribution to the sport and the memories tied to his career. One fan wrote that football seemed to be losing part of its soul, linking childhood memories and unforgettable nights to a single name, CR7.
Another supporter said Ronaldo had not only played for Portugal but had made an entire generation fall in love with football. That fan added that records would be broken and trophies would fade, but his legacy would last, and said there would never be another Cristiano Ronaldo. The announcement was widely described as the end of an era for Portuguese football, given his status as one of the most influential players in the game’s history.
Club honours and earlier hints at retirement
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is among the most decorated players of all time. Since making his senior debut for Sporting in 2002, he has won major trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and his current club, Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo had earlier hinted at his retirement in an interview with the lifestyle magazine Vogue. He said, “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”
His international career, however, did not end with a World Cup title. Portugal fell short at this year’s tournament, leaving the sport’s biggest prize missing from his trophy cabinet.
