Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing down the curtain on a 23-year career with Portugal that produced a record 146 goals in 234 appearances.

The 41-year-old announced the decision himself on Thursday, 5 November, in a video posted on Instagram. "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team," he said. "A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end."

A career of records

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in August 2003 and went on to play at six World Cups, scoring at every one of them. His 234 caps and 146 goals are both men's international records.

He captained Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 and added Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. His final tournament was the 2026 World Cup, where Portugal were knocked out in the last 16 by eventual champions Spain.

A farewell clouded by a rift

The announcement followed a public fallout with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, who had previously managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo walked out of the national camp on 30 September, a day before a Nations League match in Denmark, and was later fined €255 and given a 30-day suspension by the Portuguese Football Federation.

Ronaldo did not mention Jesus in his retirement message, and the federation said he should receive "the tribute he deserves", leaving open the possibility of a farewell on the pitch. No farewell match has been confirmed.

Ronaldo is not retiring from football altogether. He continues to play club football for Saudi side Al-Nassr, where his contract runs until June 2027. In August he told Vogue that this was "probably my last year of football".

Sources: Reuters, Ronaldo exits Portugal stage with records intact, farewell clouded by rift, 5 November 2026; FIFA, Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal retirement, 5 November 2026; USA Today, Cristiano Ronaldo retirement, Jorge Jesus feud, Portugal, 5 November 2026.