Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty
Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo says he is retiring from international football.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has retired from international football after 23 years with Portugal.
- He holds world records of 146 goals and 234 caps since his debut in 2003.
- He left the Portugal camp last month after being told he would not start against Denmark.
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, the BBC reported on 5 November 2026. The 41-year-old forward made his Portugal debut in 2003 and ends his national team career with 146 goals and 234 caps, both world records.
His decision follows an incident last month when he walked out of the Portugal camp after being told he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark.
Ronaldo announces decision
Ronaldo announced the retirement in an Instagram video. He said the time had come to hand back the number seven shirt of the national team, adding that he had held it for 23 years.
He described the choice as difficult, saying some decisions are made with the heart as well as the mind. He said the journey that began in August 2003 had changed his life forever.
To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team
— Cristiano Ronaldo
Record-breaking career
Ronaldo's 146 goals and 234 caps for Portugal are both world records. He made his debut in 2003 and played for the national side for 23 years.
