Cristiano Ronaldo has announced on Thursday that he will no longer play for Portugal, ending a 23-year international career.
The 41-year-old superstar made the announcement via his official Instagram handle in which he said the day had come to hand back the No. 7 shirt of the national team.
He won 234 caps and scored 146 goals, both world records in the men’s game, and captained Portugal to the European Championship in 2016 and to Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
The decision follows a turbulent few months. Ronaldo left the Portugal camp at the end of September, ahead of the Nations League match against Denmark, without permission and did not return.
He had since served a 30-day suspension from the federation, after a fallout with new coach Jorge Jesus over playing time. Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and that the decision to return was up to him.
The announcement came one day before Jesus was due to name his squad for the Nations League games against Denmark and Wales.
The Portuguese federation released a statement expressing “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for Ronaldo’s service, and said it would pay fitting tribute to him at a later date. Ronaldo will continue playing club football for Saudi side Al Nassr.
His retirement comes less than a month after his longtime rival Lionel Messi played his last game for Argentina.
