Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portugal’s National Team After 23 Years

Portuguese football star and Global icon Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from the international football which brings an end to his 23-year career with Portugal. The 41-year-old forward confirmed that he would hand back the national team’s iconic No. 7 jersey after the November 2026 international break. His announcement comes weeks after a public disagreement with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus over his role in the team. Ronaldo finishes as Portugal’s record goalscorer, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

Ronaldo’s Retirement Announcement

Ronaldo announced his decision through social media on November 5th 2026, a day before the announcement of Portugal’s squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.

In his farewell message, he said that the time had come to return the No. 7 jersey to the Portuguese national team. He described wearing it for 23 years as a privilege and responsibility and said the decision was difficult because it involved both his mind and heart.

His retirement marks the end of one of the longest and most successful international careers in men’s football.

Full Statement of Cristiano On His Retirement

Ronaldo said in a statement, “The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the 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. When I look back at everything with the national team, I don’t just see the matches, goals, records or trophies.

“I see people. I see the Portuguese people living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who became part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.

“Throughout my entire career with the national team I always pushed myself beyond my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be better, I wanted to make history. I always demanded the most of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt.

“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. 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.”