Cristiano Ronaldo Bids Farewell to International Football: A Legacy of Glory
Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from International Football
New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo has officially declared his retirement from international football, concluding a remarkable 23-year journey with the Portuguese national team. Throughout his career, he achieved the remarkable feats of becoming the highest goal-scorer and the most-capped player in men's international football.
The 41-year-old forward shared his heartfelt decision via an emotional video on social media, reminiscing about his debut for Portugal back in August 2003.
Ronaldo's international career culminated in an impressive tally of 146 goals across 234 matches, solidifying his status as one of the sport's all-time greats.
In his farewell message, he expressed that representing Portugal was the pinnacle of his career, stating that it was time to pass on the iconic number seven jersey to the next generation.
He remarked, "To the Portuguese, the day has come to return the number 7 jersey of the national team to all of us. I never felt like it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility to wear it, to defend it and to take it with me to the stadiums all over the world. Today the time has come to give it to the future," in a video shared on X.
Portugal estará sempre em mim https://t.co/dnFj51rxmh
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 5, 2026
Reflecting on his career, Ronaldo acknowledged the unforgettable victories and challenging moments he faced, emphasizing that his dedication to the national team never faltered.
He stated, "There were perfect afternoons and nights; there were victories that I will never forget, and there were defeats that I still have a hard time remembering today. I also failed, I also suffered, there were also times when I was not able to give the Portuguese what they wanted so much. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal."
Ronaldo extended his gratitude to his teammates, coaches, support staff, and family for their unwavering support throughout his international career.
"To all the coaches, directors, doctors, physiotherapists, dressers, employees, and so many people who have worked with me over the years, thank you. Many of you never appeared in the photos, but without you, none of these photos would have been possible. To my family, thank you for sharing this dream with me," he expressed.
"Thank you for understanding the absences, sacrifices and moments when the national team had to occupy a space that also belonged to you. If I got so far, it was because we were always at hand," he added.
Ronaldo's retirement signifies the end of an era for Portugal, as the responsibility of upholding the national team's legacy now shifts to a new generation.
Despite stepping away from international play, Ronaldo assured that his bond with the country would remain unchanged.
"Today I finish 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. But I will never stop being one of you," he concluded.
"Today I realize that the greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world. Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for believing in me," he finished.