Football · Lisbon
Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal national team after 23 years and 234 caps
The 41-year-old announced the decision on social media on Thursday, 5 November 2026, closing a career that began against Kazakhstan in August 2003. The Portuguese football federation has said it will organise a match to honour him.
AI text based on reports by NewsIT, Ειδήσεις, in.gr and other publishers. Published . How it is made
For membersThe first 30 seconds for everyone. Synthetic voice (AI).
In brief
The 41-year-old announced his retirement from the national team on 5 November 2026 with 234 appearances and 146 goals.
The Portuguese Football Federation said it will organise a match to honour the captain, with a call to celebrate him.
Ronaldo's honours with Portugal include Euro 2016 and Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
- 20 AugDebut against Kazakhstan, aged 18
- 2004Scores his first Portugal goal at Euro 2004 against Greece
- 2016Portugal win Euro 2016 in Paris
- 5 NovAnnounces retirement from the national team
The announcement
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portugal national team on Thursday, 5 November 2026, through a video posted on Instagram and a message on social media. The 41-year-old closed a international career that lasted 23 years, with 234 appearances and 146 goals, figures that sources describe as world records for men's national team football.
In his farewell message he addressed the Portuguese people and said the time had come to hand over the number 7 shirt.
“Never did I feel that this shirt belonged only to me, but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility to wear it.”
He added that the decision was not easy because some decisions are taken not only with the mind but also with the heart. He closed by saying a journey that began in August 2003 had reached its end.
Context within the squad
The announcement came about a month after Ronaldo left the Portugal squad when he was told he would not be in the starting eleven for the Nations League match against Denmark. Articles describe that episode as having sparked discussion about his future with the national team. Coach Jorge Jesus is not named in the sources in the context of a dispute, and the articles only note the tension between Ronaldo and the coach in the final months of his time with the team.
Career record
His debut came on 20 August 2003 against Kazakhstan, when he was 18. Sources list six World Cups, with a goal at each of the 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments, four at 2018, one at 2022 and three at the 2026 World Cup. He scored 14 goals in European Championship finals across six tournaments. Portugal won Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Reactions
Portugal's prime minister, Luis Montenegro, wrote on X after the announcement.
“Thank you. What you did on the pitch for Portugal will echo for eternity.”
The Portuguese Football Federation thanked Ronaldo as its eternal captain and said it would organise and take part in an event to pay tribute to his career. The statement ended with a call to celebrate the player who had given so much to the country.
- 2006
- 1 goals
- 2010
- 1 goals
- 2014
- 1 goals
- 2018
- 4 goals
- 2022
- 1 goals
- 2026
- 3 goals
Data from the article text
Ask about this text
Sources and context
- NewsITCristiano Ronaldo: The “journey” for the three trophies with the Portugal national team and the “slap” from Greece in 2004Κριστιάνο Ρονάλντο: Το "ταξίδι" για τα τρία τρόπαια με την Εθνική Πορτογαλίας και το "χαστούκι" της Ελλάδας το 2004 · original in Greek
- Ειδήσεις - νέα - Το Βήμα OnlineEnd of an era: Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from the Portugal national teamΤέλος εποχής: Ο Κριστιάνο Ρονάλντο αποσύρθηκε από την Εθνική Πορτογαλίας · original in Greek
- in.grThe legendary journey of Cristiano Ronaldo - The goals, the historical records and the titles with Portugal (vids)Η μυθική διαδρομή του Κριστιάνο Ρονάλντο - Τα γκολ, τα ιστορικά ρεκόρ και οι τίτλοι με την Πορτογαλία (vids) · original in Greek
- NEWS 24/7End of an era for Cristiano Ronaldo - He is leaving the Portugal national teamΤέλος εποχής για τον Κριστιάνο Ρονάλντο - Αποχωρεί από την εθνική Πορτογαλίας · original in Greek
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Portugal forward who announced his retirement from the national team
- Luis Montenegro
- Prime Minister of Portugal who posted a message on X after the announcement
- Jorge Jesus
- Portugal national team coach referred to in the articles as Zeses
- Places
- Lisbon
Pollar is free and carries no ads in the text. Its members keep it going.
Support Pollar