Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football after 23 years.
The 41-year-old shared an emotional farewell on Thursday, November 5. He looked back on a journey that began in August 2003.
This Ronaldo international retirement ends one of the greatest careers in football history. He wore Portugal’s number seven shirt from start to finish.
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He said the time had come to pass it on. “The day has come to return the number 7 shirt of our national team. I never felt it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years, I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me to stadiums across the world,” he said.
He added a line that sums up his choice. “Today, the moment has come to hand it over to the future.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner called the decision a hard one, he said his memories go far beyond goals, records and trophies.
For him, the fans matter most. “Because, at the end of the day, football is much bigger than a game. Football is about people,” he said.
He also spoke about the tough days, he admitted there were defeats and times he could not give fans the results they wanted.
Still, he said he was always proud to wear the shirt, and he thanked his teammates, coaches, medical staff, technical team and family.
He described the national anthem as a moment of true unity. “There are no clubs, no colours, no social classes, no professions and no opinions. There is only one passion: Portugal,” he said.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo promised to stay close to the team “I will never stop being one of you. I will continue to suffer, feel the excitement and celebrate every Portuguese victory, just as I always have,” he said.
He ended by thanking the people of Portugal for believing in a boy from Madeira. “I spent my life working to become the best footballer in the world. Today, I realise that the greatest victory was earning the privilege of representing the best country in the world,” he said.
His final words were simple “The number 7 shirt remains, and the pride of having worn it will be mine forever. Portugal will always be within me.”
This Ronaldo international retirement closes a record-breaking chapter; he leaves as Portugal’s top scorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 games. He also captained the team to Euro 2016 glory and the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
