The 41-year-old forward, Ronaldo, will leave Portugal as men’s international football’s all-time leading goalscorer and appearance-maker, having helped the country win the 2016 European Championship and two Nations League titles.
Portuguese football captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football after 23 years with the national team, bringing an end to a remarkable career in which he became the highest-scoring and most-capped male international player in football history.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement in an emotional message shared on his Instagram account on Thursday, 5 November 2026, confirming that he would hand over Portugal’s famous number seven shirt after the November international break.
Ronaldo described the decision as difficult, reflecting on the experiences, achievements and people who shaped his journey with the national team.
In his announcement, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said: “The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team.”
His departure marks the end of one of the longest and most successful international careers in modern football, with the Portuguese star leaving behind records that have made him one of the most influential figures in the sport.
Ronaldo’s retirement represents a major change for Portugal, which will have to prepare for international competitions without the player who has been central to its attack and leadership for more than two decades.
Read also: Cristiano Ronaldo Officially Joins the Billionaires’ Club Now Worth $1.4 billion (Unbelievable)
His influence extends beyond goals and appearances. He became the face of Portuguese football, captained the country to its first major international trophy and helped establish Portugal among Europe’s leading national teams.
For supporters who have followed his career since his debut in 2003, the announcement also closes a chapter that has included major victories, painful defeats and several historic individual achievements
How Ronaldo’s Portugal journey began
Ronaldo made his senior international debut against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003, beginning a journey that would eventually make him Portugal’s most celebrated footballer.
He featured at the 2004 European Championship, where Portugal reached the final but lost 1-0 to Greece. The defeat denied the country its first European Championship title, although Ronaldo’s performances marked the beginning of his rise as a key figure in the national team.
Over the following years, he became increasingly important to Portugal, eventually taking over the captaincy and leading the country through several major international tournaments.
His greatest achievement with the national team came at Euro 2016 in France.
Portugal defeated the host nation 1-0 after extra time in the final to win its first European Championship. Ronaldo started the match but was forced off in the first half because of an injury.
Despite leaving the pitch early, he remained involved from the sidelines, encouraging his teammates as they secured the historic victory.
Portugal subsequently won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and lifted the competition’s trophy again in 2025.
What the records show
Ronaldo leaves Portugal with 146 international goals in 234 appearances, according to figures published by UEFA in October 2026.
The figures make him the highest goalscorer and most-capped male international footballer in history
He surpassed Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa to become the most-capped male international player, while his international scoring record puts him ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who has 126 goals, according to UEFA’s records.
Another significant achievement came at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ronaldo became the first player to score at six different editions of the tournament.
These achievements are documented records, rather than claims made solely in his retirement announcement.
His international career also produced several individual milestones, including becoming the first European player to reach 100 international goals.
Ronaldo reflects on his 23-year career
In his farewell message, Ronaldo said his experience with Portugal meant more to him than the goals, trophies and individual records he accumulated.
He described the journey as one that changed his life and acknowledged the supporters who followed the national team across different countries and competitions.
The Al-Nassr forward also admitted that his career had not been without disappointment, recalling moments when he failed to deliver the results Portuguese supporters expected.
However, he maintained that he had always given his best while representing his country.
“I always demanded the most of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further,” he said.
Ronaldo added that he had never stopped feeling proud of representing Portugal, despite the setbacks he experienced throughout his international career.
He also thanked the people who shared the journey with him, including teammates, coaches, staff and supporters.
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