End of an era: Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty

He shared an emotional video message to confirm his departure from international duties. However, the 40-year-old superstar will continue playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in August 2003 before Euro 2004. He eventually established himself as the most influential figure in Portuguese football history.

The captain led Portugal to its first major international trophy at Euro 2016. He later raised the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy in 2019.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner set the men’s all-time international scoring record with 146 goals. He represented his country across 234 matches and six FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Currently, Ronaldo holds 985 overall career goals as he continues his pursuit of 1,000 career goals. His final international appearance occurred on September 24 during a 1-0 win against Wales.

A tense spell with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus preceded the iconic captain’s decision. Jesus benched Ronaldo during a subsequent match and indicated further reduced playing time.

Ronaldo consequently chose to leave the national team’s training camp following that decision. Although Jesus later opened the door for his return, Ronaldo ultimately chose retirement.

His international departure closely follows Lionel Messi’s farewell from Argentina last month. Football fans worldwide now witness the conclusion of an extraordinary international rivalry.

The Portuguese Football Federation quickly released a statement honoring their long-time captain. The organization expressed deep gratitude and immense admiration for his outstanding career contributions.

In his poignant farewell message, Ronaldo reflected deeply on his long international journey. He spoke passionately about the sacrifices, victories, defeats, and emotional bonds defining his tenure.

He extended heartfelt gratitude toward his teammates, coaches, medical staff, and family. Ronaldo specifically emphasized that football ultimately centers around connecting people together beyond simple games.

He officially handed back the iconic number 7 shirt to future generations. He urged young Portuguese players to dream big and push past conventional boundaries.

Ronaldo stressed that goals fade and records break, but shared love remains forever. He highlighted his proudest achievement as earning the honor to represent his nation.

He declared that his passion for Portugal would endure for the rest of his life. Ronaldo promised to continue supporting the national team passionately from the stands.

The legendary forward concluded his message by promising to celebrate future victories with his signature chant. He leaves behind an unrivaled international legacy that transformed Portuguese football forever.