Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international duty after Portugal boss fallout

Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international duty after Portugal boss fallout

 

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday his retirement from international football after 23 years of representing Portugal at the highest level, following a fallout with coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo, 41, has 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal, making him the leading men's international goal scorer and appearance maker.

"To the Portuguese people, the day has come to hand back the number seven shirt of the national team that belongs to us all. I never felt it was exclusively mine," Ronaldo said in a lengthy video posted on Instagram.

"But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and taking it with me to stadiums all over the world. Today the time has come to hand it over to the future.

"It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made solely with the head; they are also made with the heart."

The announcement comes one day before Portugal coach Jorge Jesus names the squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Denmark and Wales.

Ronaldo's decision comes just after the Portugal captain served a 30-day suspension that was handed down by his country's football federation.

The Al Nassr forward was punished for walking out of the national team in the previous international window. Ronaldo had taken the action after a fallout with new manager Jorge Jesus over playing time.

He played his last game for Portugal on Sept. 24, a 1-0 win over Wales in a Nations League game in Lisbon. Ronaldo was an unused sub for the first time in 18 years for Portugal in a 2-1 win at Norway on Oct. 4.

Ronaldo apologized to his teammates for walking out and expressed his desire to continue playing for the national team. He did not, however, apologize to Jorge Jesus, his former Al Nassr coach, whom he accused of breaking promises over his playing time.

On Thursday, Jesus said that he asked Ronaldo to stay but now is aware he must accept the decision.

"We already had the chance to talk about this before the first squad announcement. I asked him to stay on with me," the coach told Portugal's Channel 11. "He will always be in the hearts of the Portuguese people, and in the national team.

"He will always be a point of reference for our national team, for our people, and for our history."

Ronaldo has enjoyed many achievements with his national team. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner captained Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, and to the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy three years later and again in 2025.

He became the only player to score in six different FIFA World Cups this summer, though the title remained missing from his résumé after Portugal exited in the round of 16.

Ronaldo's other records include scoring the most goals in World Cup qualifying (41), most matches (30) and most goals (14) in European championships and becoming the only player to score in five different Euros.

"A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever is coming to an end," he said. "When I look back and think of everything I've experienced with the national team, I don't just see matches, goals, records or trophies. I see people. I see immigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt Portugal was a little bit closer.

"I see millions of Portuguese people whom I've never met in person, but who have been part of my life. Because, at the end of the day, football is so much more than just a game. Football is about the people.

 Throughout my entire career with the national team, I've strived to push my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history.

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"I've always been hard on myself. I've always wanted more; I've always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt. There were perfect afternoons and evenings; there were victories I'll never forget.

There were defeats that I still find hard to recall today. I also failed, I also suffered, and there were moments when I wasn't able to give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.

"Over the years, I've learnt some very simple things. Goals come and go, trophies end up in museums, and records are eventually broken. But there is one thing that time can never erase: the place we hold in people's hearts.

If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget your worries, and feel nothing but pride in our country, then it was all worth it. Because that's what being Portuguese is all about. We suffer together, we rise together."

Ronaldo thanked his teammates and coaches, stating: "No captain walks alone and you're all part of my story."

He added: "Portugal will always need young people who dream, players who never give up, new generations who believe it's possible to reach places no one has reached before.

Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself."

Ronaldo will keep playing at club level, which he is expected to finish at the end of this season with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

He is in pursuit of his 1,000th career goal and sits on 985. Of those, a record 146 goals came in 234 appearances with Portugal.

On Thursday, the Portugal football federation issued a lengthy statement, saying they would pay fitting tribute to their star at a later date.

"It is with a sense of deep gratitude and immense admiration that the Portuguese Football Federation publicly pays tribute to and thanks Cristiano Ronaldo for his absolutely extraordinary career in the service of our country," the statement said.

"More than just an outstanding athlete, our captain was an inspiring leader, a model of dedication and the ultimate symbol of the spirit of our national team.

"Throughout a legendary international career, marked by 234 caps and 146 goals scored, the captain carried the nation on his shoulders, broke records and led the team to achievements that will forever be etched in the history of Portuguese football.

Every drop of sweat, every decisive goal and every captain's armband he wore with honor on the pitch reflected his unconditional love for our shirt.

"His commitment and his legacy extend far beyond the four lines of the pitch."

The federation also thanked Ronaldo for making the country's name prominent around the world.

"Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal's profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps," the statement said. "For many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!

"It is our firm and wholehearted intention to organise, plan, participate in and actively collaborate on what will always be a tribute worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo's immense career, in which the fans and the country can once again applaud and celebrate the player who has given us so much," the statement said. "Let's go for goal number 1,000!!!"

Manchester United, Sporting CP, Juventus were among Ronaldo's former clubs to pay tribute to the player for his impressive international career.

Ronaldo retires less than one month after longtime rival Lionel Messi played his last game for Argentina.