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Portugal, 5 November 2026 - The Portuguese Football Federation on Thursday expressed its sincere gratitude to the country’s most famous captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, after he announced his retirement from international football.
The announcement, posted on social media, drew attention from millions of fans across the world.
Ronaldo, who was born in Madeira and rose from humble beginnings, broke many records during his career.
“I wore the number 7 shirt for Portugal for over 23 years and I will always carry the memories,” Ronaldo said in a statement he read in Portuguese and shared with English subtitles. He said he never felt entitled to his place and understood that a time would come when he would leave the national team.
He said that he and his teammates pushed themselves and, despite setbacks, also celebrated victories. He thanked the players, coaching staff, doctors, physiotherapists and many others who made football possible in Portugal.
Immediately after the announcement, the federation issued a statement thanking him for all he has done for the country.
“The Portuguese Football Federation expresses its deepest and eternal gratitude to our eternal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, who today (Thursday, 5 November 2026) announced his definitive farewell to the National Team,” the statement said.
The federation praised him as a talented athlete and a captain who provided leadership, describing him as an inspiring leader, an example of dedication and the ultimate symbol of the soul of the national team.
It said he “broke records and led the team to achievements that will forever be etched in the history of Portuguese football.”
It added that every drop of sweat, every decisive goal and every time he honoured the armband on the pitch reflected his unconditional love for the shirt.
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Ronaldo made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals.
His retirement comes after he served a disciplinary sanction for walking out of the national team camp last month, following a fallout with coach Jorge Jesus over playing time.
Ronaldo raised Portugal’s name and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps. His departure also revives the endless debate with Argentina’s Lionel Messi over who is the greatest player of all time. It comes about a month after Messi played his final match for Argentina.
With Portugal, Ronaldo and his teammates won the UEFA European Championship in 2016, beating France 1–0 in the final in France. They lifted the UEFA Nations League in 2019, beating the Netherlands 1–0 in the final. They won it again in 2025, drawing 2–2 with rivals Spain before winning 5–3 on penalties.
Away from the national team, Ronaldo played for Sporting Lisbon before joining Manchester United and later Real Madrid. After leaving the Santiago Bernabéu, he played for Juventus in Serie A, then returned to Old Trafford for a short second stint before joining his current club, Al Nassr, in the Saudi Pro League, where he is captain.
At 41, Ronaldo’s next mission is to keep playing for Al Nassr as he chases 1,000 career goals.
He has scored 985 goals in 1,343 senior appearances for club and country, 15 short of the target.
His hopes of lifting the World Cup at the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, ended in disappointment when Portugal lost 1–0 to Spain in the Round of 16.