Ronaldo retires from international play with 146 goals
The 41-year-old forward ends a 23-year career with Portugal following a dispute with manager Jorge Jesus and a recent 30-day suspension.
By Sergio Ramirez ·
Cristiano Ronaldo finished his international career with 146 goals, a record for any male player in national team football. The 41-year-old announced his departure from the Portugal squad on Thursday, ending a 23-year run of service that included 234 appearances.
The decision follows a period of tension with the national team's management. Ronaldo recently completed a 30-day suspension imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation. The punishment stemmed from the player walking out of the camp during the previous international window after a disagreement with new manager Jorge Jesus over his playing time.
The timeline of the split began in September. Ronaldo played in a 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales in Lisbon on Sept. 24. By Oct. 4, he sat on the bench as an unused substitute for the first time in 18 years during a 2-1 win at Norway. He subsequently apologized to his teammates for his exit but did not apologize to Jesus, whom he accused of breaking promises regarding his minutes on the pitch.
In a video posted to Instagram, Ronaldo described the moment as the time to hand back the number seven shirt. "To the Portuguese people, the day has come to hand back the number seven shirt of the national team that belongs to us all," he said. "I never felt it was exclusively mine."
The announcement lands one day before Jorge Jesus names the squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales. The federation issued a statement praising the captain, noting that he carried the nation on his shoulders. The body described him as an inspiring leader and a model of dedication, promising a tribute event at a later date.
Ronaldo’s international trophy cabinet is full, though one major honor remains missing. He captained Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and the UEFA Nations League trophy in 2019 and 2025. He competed in his sixth World Cup this summer, a tournament that did not end with a final win for the Portuguese.
The player plans to continue his career at the club level. He is expected to remain with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia through the end of this season. He is currently on a personal quest to reach 1,000 career goals and sits at 985, with a record 146 of those scored in the Portugal jersey.
Former clubs including Manchester United, Sporting CP, and Juventus paid tribute to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. His retirement comes less than a month after rival Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina.
Ronaldo thanked his teammates, stating, "No captain walks alone and you're all part of my story." He told the Portuguese people that goals and records fade, but the place in people's hearts remains. He said he wanted to make history and push his limits, adding that he never stopped feeling proud to represent the country.
