"Portugal will always be in me. Forever."
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his international retirement after 23 years representing Portugal, bringing an end to one of the most successful careers in the history of the national team.
In a video message, the 41-year-old said he would “hand back the number 7 shirt” after the November international break.
In the video, he said: “Today I finish my walk on the pitch with the national team.
“I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took, and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal.
“The goals pass, the cups are in museums, the records end up being beaten. But there is something that time can never erase, the place we occupy in people’s hearts.
“I spent my life working to be the best player in the world.
“Today I realise that the greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world. Thank you for these 23 years.
“Thank you for having believed in me. Portugal will always be in me. Forever.”
The news has prompted a variety of reactions from British Asian football fans.
Akash told DESIblitz: “The guy is one of the greatest players ever but the international retirement should’ve happened in 2022.
“His age shows whenever he plays for Portugal and at the 2026 World Cup, he didn’t show much and it was like Portugal were playing with 10 men.”
Meanwhile, Rohan said: “It’s a bittersweet moment because on one hand, the international retirement was long overdue.
“But on the other, it might only be a year or two before Ronaldo fully retires.”
Ronaldo retires as Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and record appearance-maker, having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances.
Jay said: “First Messi, now Ronaldo. Watching the next World Cup without either of them playing won’t feel right.”
Ronaldo’s announcement comes just weeks after he was handed a 30-day suspension and fined £215 by the Portuguese Football Federation following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.
The disciplinary action followed his decision to leave Portugal’s training camp ahead of their Nations League fixture against Denmark on October 1.
Ronaldo had been an unused substitute during the team’s 1-0 victory over Norway on September 27.
The forward accused Jesus of breaking an agreement over his playing time, prompting his departure from the squad.
Jesus denied making any such agreement, while Ronaldo subsequently apologised for leaving his teammates and failing to acknowledge supporters after the Norway match.
The suspension began on October 1, meaning Ronaldo had already served 19 days of the punishment when it was formally announced on October 19.
He was therefore expected to be available for Portugal’s next Nations League fixture against Denmark on November 14.
View this post on Instagram
Meera said:
“His retirement will only benefit Portugal and they may now have a better chance of winning the World Cup.”
Ronaldo’s international retirement also follows his confirmation earlier this year that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament.
The forward had been chasing a historic first World Cup title in what was his sixth appearance at the competition. However, Portugal’s campaign ended in disappointment following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16 in Dallas in July.
Although he will no longer represent Portugal on the international stage, Cristiano Ronaldo leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having captained his country to victory at Euro 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, as well as a second Nations League title in 2025.
His retirement marks the end of an era for Portuguese football, with the forward having been one of the defining figures of the national team for more than two decades.
