Portugal great Ronaldo retires from international duty

Published5 November 2026

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo says he is retiring from international football.

The 41-year-old forward has scored 146 goals and won 234 caps for his country - both world records - since making his debut in 2003.

He walked out of the Portugal camp in September after being told he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark, resulting in a £215 fine and a 30-day suspension.

"To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team," Ronaldo said in an Instagram video., external

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"I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and 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. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone - they are also made with the heart.

"A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end."

On Friday, Portugal will announce their squad for this month's Nations League fixtures - against Denmark at home and Wales away.

The PFF said it will not "let this farewell take place without due tribute".

A statement read: "It is our firm and immense desire to organise, plan, participate and actively collaborate in what will always be a fitting tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo's immense career, in which fans and the country can applaud and celebrate, once again, the player who has given us so much."

Ronaldo played in six European Championships. Portugal were runners-up in 2004 and champions of Europe in 2016, but they did not progress beyond the semi-finals of the World Cup during his career.

Portugal captain since 2008, he won the inaugural Nations League in 2019 and in 2025.

Ronaldo's great rival and Argentina legend Lionel Messi retired from international football on an emotional night in front of an 85,000-strong crowd in Buenos Aires in October.

Why did Ronaldo fall out with Portugal coach?

Ronaldo started every match in his sixth World Cup this summer, when Portugal lost to eventual champions Spain in the last 16.

His peformances in the tournament drew criticism in the media, with many observers questioning if he remained a force at international level.

He fell out with new coach Jorge Jesus after being named as a substitute against Norway.

Ronaldo was reportedly angry at being made to warm up in the second half but not brought on - the first time he was an unused substitute in a competitive Portugal game since 2008.

When Jesus said Ronaldo would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo left the camp and issued a lengthy statement in which he said he would not be retiring and that Jesus had twice "broke his word".

Jesus said the door remained open for a return, while the PFF fined Ronaldo and suspended him for 30 days - a period that did not include any Portugal games.

Ronaldo did not reference the falling-out in his farewell video, but acknowledged that he had made mistakes.

"There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember. I made mistakes; I suffered," he said.

"There were also moments when I couldn't give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.

"I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today I realise my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world."

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