Ronaldo retires from Portugal: the end of a 23-year story

He chose an Instagram video, with no press conference and no farewell match announced. On Thursday, November 5, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo ended his career with Portugal. "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team," the 41-year-old forward said. "A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end."

The captain leaves with two men's world records nobody comes close to: 234 caps and 146 goals. He keeps playing club football at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

An exit after two months of tension

The timing is no accident. In late September, Ronaldo lived through something he had not experienced in a competitive Portugal game since 2008: an entire match on the bench. Against Norway, coach Jorge Jesus had him warm up in the second half and never brought him on. According to Portuguese and British media, the player took it badly, then left the camp after learning he would not start against Denmark in the Nations League.

He then released a statement saying he was not retiring and that Jorge Jesus had "broken his word" twice. The Portuguese federation handed him a symbolic 30-day suspension, which covered no Portugal games, and a fine of around 255 euros. It also left the door open, and Jesus kept saying he intended to call him up again.

In the end, Ronaldo closed that door himself. His farewell video says nothing about the row with his coach. He talks about his mistakes instead: "I made mistakes; I suffered." Then about what he keeps: "Today I realise my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world."

234 games, 146 goals and six World Cups

The numbers are staggering. Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in August 2003, aged 18 and a half. He has worn the captain's armband since 2008. He played six World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026) and six European Championships.

This summer, at the 2026 World Cup, he became the first player in history to score at six different World Cups. The tournament still ended badly: Portugal went out in the last 16 against Spain (1-0) on July 6 in Dallas, and Spain went on to lift the trophy. Ronaldo started every game, but part of the press was already questioning his place in the side.

With Portugal he won Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025. He also lost the Euro 2004 final at home against Greece. Throughout his international career, Portugal never went beyond a World Cup semi-final.

Euro 2016, the memory above all others

Ronaldo has often said Euro 2016 means as much to him as a World Cup. That night at the Stade de France, he left the pitch in tears with an injury after about twenty minutes against France. He spent the rest of the game standing on the touchline, almost like an assistant coach, until Eder scored in extra time (1-0).