Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an extraordinary 23-year career with Portugal.
The 41-year-old confirmed his decision on November 5, 2026, saying it was time to hand over the iconic No. 7 shirt to the next generation. Ronaldo bows out as the men’s international football’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 146 goals in 234 appearances. His greatest achievement came in 2016 when he captained Portugal to their first European Championship title, followed by Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025. He also made history by scoring at six different World Cups.
His final major international tournament was the 2026 World Cup, where Portugal exited in the last 16 following a 1–0 defeat to eventual champions Spain. Despite ending his international career, Ronaldo will continue playing club football for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo took to his social media pages to reveal the news: “Today I finished my walk on the pitch with the national team. I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took, and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal.” He said.
