Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football.
The Portuguese icon, 41, has amassed 234 caps for his country and scored 146 goals since he made his debut back in 2003. Both those tallies are world records.
Ronaldo, now playing his football at Saudi club Al Nassr, walked out of Portugal’s camp during last month’s Nations League fixtures. That came after he was told by manager Jorge Jesus he would not start a game against Denmark.
Ronaldo was subsequently given a 30-day suspension and fined 255 euros (£215) by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
Now, a few weeks on from that episode, the veteran has announced his intention to hang up the famous number seven shirt for his country.
In an Instagram video, he said: “To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team.
“I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.
“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone – they are also made with the heart.
“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end. If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it.”
Ronaldo won three trophies with Portugal: the European Championship in 2016 and the Nations League in both 2019 and 2025.
Portugal are scheduled to face Wales in their final Nations League fixture, in Cardiff on November 17.
