Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from the Portugal national team, bringing an end to one of the most celebrated international careers in football history.
The 41-year-old made the announcement on Thursday in a video posted to his Instagram account, saying the time had come to "hand back the number seven shirt" he had worn for 23 years.
"To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team," Ronaldo said. "I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and 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."
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in August 2003. He went on to earn 234 caps and score 146 goals for his country, both all-time world records for international football.
He captained Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 and helped the team win the Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025.
His final appearance for the national team came on September 24 in a 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales. Coach Jorge Jesus subsequently kept him on the bench and indicated he did not plan to start him in the following match. Ronaldo then left the team's training camp.
Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and that the decision to return was his to make.
"If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it," Ronaldo said in his announcement.
He also thanked his family, the Portuguese people, and the teammates, coaches and staff he worked with throughout his international career. "Portugal will always be a part of me," he added.
The Portuguese Football Federation released a statement expressing "deep gratitude and immense admiration" for Ronaldo's service. "Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal's profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!" the federation said.
The federation also announced its intention to organise a tribute to Ronaldo "in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much."
Ronaldo will continue playing at club level. He is expected to finish his club career at the end of the current season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He has scored 985 career goals and is pursuing his 1,000th.
