Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from the Portugal national team

Announcement after November matches

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he will end his career with the Portugal national team after the November matches, Anadolu reports. In an Instagram post, the 41-year-old forward said he would 'hand back the number 7 shirt' after the international window. Portugal will host Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on November 14, and three days later will play away against Wales.

A record-breaking international career

Ronaldo made his debut for the national team in August 2003 in a match against Kazakhstan and has since scored 146 goals in 234 appearances — both records in men's international football. He led Portugal to its first major trophy, victory at Euro 2016, and helped win the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also became the first player to score at six World Cups: he found the net at the 2026 tournament as well, where Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16, losing to the eventual champions, Spain.

Conflict with the coach and a postponed decision

The announcement was preceded by a public conflict with national team head coach Jorge Jesus during the September international window: left on the bench for the match against Norway, Ronaldo left the team camp, then apologized to fans and teammates, accusing the coach of breaking promises about playing time. He stated that he remained available for call-ups after serving any punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation. According to him, he had prepared a letter of resignation right after the 2026 World Cup, but federation president Pedro Proença persuaded him to continue. The departure concerns only the national team: at club level, Ronaldo continues to play for Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr.