Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro has announced his retirement from international football in a social media statement on Thursday, November 5, 2026, bringing an end to his 23-year career with Portugal after 234 appearances and a record 146 goals for the national team.
The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward confirmed that he would step away from international duty following the November international break, describing the decision as difficult while acknowledging the need to make way for the next generation of Portuguese footballers.
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“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future,” Ronaldo said in his announcement.
“It was not an easy decision.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also indicated that he would relinquish Portugal’s iconic number seven shirt after the November international fixtures, marking the end of an era for one of the country’s most recognisable sporting figures.
Ronaldo leaves international football holding the men’s world records for both appearances and goals, having represented Portugal since making his senior debut against Kazakhstan on August 20, 2003.
His 146 international goals place him ahead of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, while his 234 appearances make him the most-capped male international footballer in history, according to UEFA statistics.
During his remarkable international career, Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016, defeating hosts France 1-0 after extra time in the final.
Although he was forced off through injury during the first half of the match, Ronaldo remained on the sidelines encouraging his teammates as Portugal secured a historic victory through Eder’s extra-time goal.
He later added two UEFA Nations League titles, helping Portugal win the inaugural competition in 2019 and securing another triumph in 2025.
His international achievements also include appearances at six FIFA World Cups and six European Championships, establishing a longevity rarely seen at the highest level of the game.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo became the first male footballer to score at six different editions of the tournament, further extending his remarkable record on the global stage.
Portugal’s elimination by Spain in the round of 16 ended his World Cup journey, although he continued representing the national team after the competition.
His retirement announcement also follows a period of uncertainty surrounding his international future after a disagreement with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus during the September international break.
Ronaldo had left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen after being named an unused substitute against Norway and subsequently learning that he would not start against Denmark.
In an explanation published on social media in October, the forward accused the coach of breaking an agreement over his expected playing time, while apologising to his teammates and Portuguese supporters for leaving the camp.
He insisted at the time that he remained available for international selection and was prepared to accept any disciplinary action imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.
The federation subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings and imposed a 30-day suspension, which was backdated to allow him to become eligible for the November fixtures.
The retirement announcement therefore represents a significant development following weeks of uncertainty about his relationship with the national team.
Beyond his statistics, Ronaldo’s international career has been defined by his influence on Portugal’s emergence as a major force in European football, particularly through the generations that delivered the country’s first European Championship and subsequent Nations League titles.
His departure also creates an important transition for Portugal, with younger players expected to take on greater responsibility as the national team prepares for future international competitions.
While his international chapter has now reached its conclusion, the announcement does not signal his retirement from professional football.
Ronaldo remains contracted to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he continues to pursue his ambition of reaching 1,000 career goals.
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For Portugal, however, the departure of its record goalscorer and most-capped player marks the close of an extraordinary chapter in the country’s football history.
