By Salma El-Sakka
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at age 41 after 23 years with Portugal, during which he scored 146 goals in 234 matches to become the all-time top scorer in men's international football.
He captained Portugal to their first major title at Euro 2016 and Nations League crowns in 2019 and 2025. His international career ended acrimoniously after he walked out of the Portugal camp last month following his omission as an unused substitute against Norway, alleging new manager Jorge Jesus twice broke promises to him.
The Portuguese Football Federation handed Ronaldo a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine; the ban expired before the November international break. He announced his decision in an Instagram video and will now focus on reaching 1,000 career goals with his club Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, needing 15 more to hit the milestone.
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In a video message, Ronaldo said the day had come to hand back the number 7 shirt, which he never felt belonged to him alone. He described the 23-year journey that began in August 2003 as life-changing, emphasizing that football is about people, not just matches, goals, records, or trophies.
He acknowledged perfect moments and painful defeats, admitted mistakes, but said he never gave up and always felt proud to represent Portugal. He noted that goals fade, trophies end up in museums, records are broken, but the place held in people's hearts is timeless.
Ronaldo urged Portugal to keep producing young players who dare to dream and never give up, saying a country that creates new heroes never stops believing in itself.
