Key points

• Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, 5 November 2026, in a video message posted on social media.
• The 41-year-old retires as the leading scorer in men's international football, with 146 goals in a record 234 appearances for Portugal.
• His final appearance came on 24 September 2026, a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales.
• Ronaldo won Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025, and played at six World Cups.
• He will continue his club career with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is closing in on 1,000 career goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing down the curtain on one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen. The 41-year-old confirmed the decision in a long video message on social media on Thursday, telling supporters that "the day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team".

The announcement ends a Portugal career that began in August 2003 and lasted more than 23 years. Ronaldo leaves as the all-time leading scorer in men's international football and the most-capped men's player in history, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

The announcement

Ronaldo read a letter to his supporters in the video, describing the decision as one made with the heart as much as the mind. "Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future," he said. "It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end."

The timing caught many by surprise. Ronaldo had been named in Portugal's preliminary squad for this month's Nations League fixtures, against Denmark in Braga on 14 November and Wales in Cardiff three days later, and the Portuguese Football Federation will announce its squad on Friday. Instead, the federation released a statement expressing "deep gratitude and immense admiration" for his service and saying it "refuses to let this farewell take place without due tribute", leaving open the possibility of a farewell match.

A career in numbers

Few players have ever defined a national team the way Ronaldo defined Portugal. When he made his debut in 2003, Portugal had never won a major trophy. He leaves with three: the European Championship in 2016, when Portugal beat France in the final in Paris, and the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

His numbers are unmatched in the men's international game. No man has scored more international goals or made more international appearances, and his 146 goals came across six World Cups, the last of them this summer in North America, where Portugal's run ended against eventual champions Spain in the round of 16.

Ronaldo also retires as a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and one of only a handful of players to appear at six World Cups. His rivalry with Lionel Messi, who also ended his international career with Argentina last month, shaped an entire era of the sport.

The fallout with Jorge Jesus

The ending, however, was far from the fairytale many expected. Ronaldo's final weeks with Portugal were dominated by a public dispute with new head coach Jorge Jesus. After Jesus chose not to use him against Norway in October, Ronaldo walked out of the national team training camp, accusing the coach of breaking his word over playing time. The federation handed him a 30-day suspension and a fine, although he later apologised and it appeared he would continue.

His final appearance, a 1-0 win over Wales on 24 September, came before that dispute. Jesus kept him on the bench for the following match and said he did not plan to start him in the next one, and Ronaldo decided to leave the camp. Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and that the decision to return was up to him. Thursday's announcement settled the matter: there will be no return.

What happens next

Ronaldo is not retiring from football altogether. He will continue his club career with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is closing in on 1,000 career goals and currently sits on 985. Reports suggest he is expected to finish his club career at the end of this season.

For Portugal, the focus now turns to life without its talisman. The squad announcement on Friday will be the first of a new era, and the federation has made clear it wants to give Ronaldo a proper tribute. Whether that takes the form of a farewell match remains unclear, but few in Portuguese football doubt he deserves one.

Ronaldo's international career transformed Portugal from contenders into European champions, and his records may stand for generations. The shirt he is handing back, though, will be worn by someone else in Braga on 14 November, and that is the moment when the scale of his absence will truly be felt. For more on how international football works, read our FIFA World Cup explained guide, and for this week's European action see our Champions League Matchday 4 report.

FAQ

How many goals did Cristiano Ronaldo score for Portugal?

Ronaldo scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. Both totals are men's international records, and no man has scored more goals or made more appearances for his country.

What trophies did Ronaldo win with Portugal?

He won three major honours: the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He also played at six World Cups, but never won the tournament.

Why did Ronaldo retire from international football?

Ronaldo announced his retirement on 5 November 2026 after a public fallout with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, who had left him on the bench and said he did not plan to start him. He had walked out of the training camp in October and received a 30-day suspension.

Is Ronaldo retiring from football completely?

No. He is only retiring from international football. He will continue playing club football for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is closing in on 1,000 career goals.