Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football after 23 years representing his country.
This brings an end extraordinary career in which he became Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and the most-capped male international footballer in history.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday, November 5, 2026, through an emotional farewell letter addressed to Portuguese supporters, in which he reflected on his journey, the sacrifices, victories, painful defeats and unforgettable memories that defined his time with the national team.
Ronaldo, who made his senior international debut in August 2003, leaves Portugal with 234 appearances and 146 goals, records that place him at the top of men’s international football in both categories.
In his farewell message, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said the decision to step away from the national team was difficult because of the emotional connection he had developed with the country and its supporters over more than two decades.
“The day has come to hand back the shirt and the captain’s armband of the national team that belongs to all of us.
“I never felt that it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years, I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me to stadiums all around the world.
“Today, the moment has come to pass it on to the future,” Ronaldo wrote.
He explained that his international journey had been about much more than football statistics, trophies and individual records, describing his relationship with Portuguese supporters as one of the most important parts of his career.
“I am bringing to an end a journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever. When I look back and think about everything I experienced with the national team, I don’t just see matches, goals, records, or trophies. I see people,”he said.
Ronaldo also acknowledged the difficult moments he experienced while representing Portugal, admitting that there were occasions when he failed to deliver the results supporters expected, but insisted that he never stopped giving his best.
“There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember today. I also failed. I also suffered. There were moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese people what they wanted so badly. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal,” he said.
The forward, who captained Portugal through some of its most successful years, said records and trophies eventually become part of history, but the memories created with supporters remain more important.
“Goals come and go, trophies end up in museums, records are eventually broken, but there is something that time can never erase. The place I hold in people’s hearts,”he noted.
Ronaldo’s international career produced two major trophies, beginning with Portugal’s historic victory at the 2016 UEFA European Championship in France. The country defeated hosts France 1-0 after extra time in the final, with Eder scoring the winning goal.
Although Ronaldo was forced off in the first half after suffering a knee injury, he remained on the sidelines encouraging his teammates as Portugal secured its first major international trophy.
In 2019, he captained Portugal to victory in the inaugural UEFA Nations League, scoring a hat-trick in the semi-final against Switzerland before his country defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.
Portugal won the Nations League again in 2025, with Ronaldo scoring in the final against Spain before his country secured victory on penalties.
He also played a key role in Portugal’s run to the semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, establishing himself as one of the country’s most influential players.
His achievements with Portugal were accompanied by an equally remarkable club career that took him through some of the biggest teams in world football.
Ronaldo began his senior professional career at Sporting CP before joining Manchester United in 2003, where he developed into one of the world’s most exciting footballers under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
During his first spell at Old Trafford, he won three Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League in 2008 and his first Ballon d’Or in the same year.
He joined Real Madrid in 2009, where he enjoyed the most prolific period of his career, scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances and becoming the Spanish club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
At Real Madrid, he won four Champions League titles, two La Liga championships and four Ballon d’Or awards, forming part of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
He later moved to Juventus in 2018, scoring 101 goals and winning two Serie A titles before returning to Manchester United in 2021.
In December 2022, Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where he has continued his professional career and remained one of the biggest names in global football.
By October 30, 2026, Ronaldo had scored 985 official senior career goals for club and country in 1,343 appearances, leaving him just 15 goals away from the historic 1,000-goal milestone.
His career tally includes 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 138 for Al-Nassr, 101 for Juventus, five for Sporting CP and 146 for Portugal.
He is also the UEFA Champions League’s all-time leading goalscorer with 140 goals and has won the competition five times, achievements that underline his remarkable consistency at the highest level.
Ronaldo’s individual honours include five Ballon d’Or awards, four European Golden Shoes and numerous domestic and international titles. He has also become the first male footballer to score at six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
In his farewell message, Ronaldo thanked his teammates, coaches, medical personnel, technical staff and family members for supporting him throughout his international journey, recognising that his achievements were made possible by the contributions of many people behind the scenes.
He also reflected on the national anthem as one of the most emotional moments of representing Portugal, describing how it brought together people from different backgrounds under one national identity.
“There are no clubs. There are no colours. There are no classes. There are no professions. There are no opinions. There is only one passion: Portugal,”he said.
Ronaldo’s retirement from international football marks the end of an era for Portugal, which will now have to look towards a new generation of players to carry forward the achievements of a team that he helped transform into European champions.
However, his departure from the national team does not mean the end of his playing career, as he continues to pursue further achievements with Al-Nassr and the ambition of reaching 1,000 official senior career goals.
After more than two decades, 234 appearances, 146 international goals and two major international trophies, Ronaldo leaves Portugal with a legacy that has firmly established him among the greatest footballers of all time.
