Portugal captain and great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football. Just a few days ago, Ronaldo's biggest rival and Argentina's great player Lionel Messi also said goodbye to international football. Now with this big decision of Ronaldo, the speculations about his career have come to a complete stop. Ronaldo finished his career with the world record of scoring 146 goals in international football. His international career also included 3 titles.
Tezzbuzz Desk – 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo said goodbye to international football by releasing a video statement on his social media accounts on Thursday 5 November. Addressing the Portugal fans, Ronaldo said, “Portugal people, the day has come for the number 7 jersey to return to the national team. I never thought that it was only mine, but for the last 23 years I have had the privilege of wearing it, protecting it and taking it with me to the stadium. Today the day has come to hand it over to the future.”
Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for the senior Portugal team in 2003 at the age of just 18. Since then he remained a continuous part of the team and later also became the captain. Under his captaincy, Portugal won its first international tournament in 2016, when the team won the Euro Cup title.
After this, Portugal also won the Nations Cup title in 2019 and 2025. Ronaldo was a part of the team in all these tournaments. However, one of his big dreams remained unfulfilled. Ronaldo played the World Cup 6 times, but not even once could he help Portugal win the World Cup title.
Ronaldo played his last World Cup in 2026, where Portugal's journey ended in the knockout round. After this he had a dispute with the new coach George Jesus. It was told that Ronaldo had decided to leave international football after the World Cup, but he agreed to play on the insistence of the new coach.
During this time, there was an agreement to play in some matches and stay out of some matches. But meanwhile after a match there was a dispute between the two. Due to this, Ronaldo left the Portugal team camp and returned. After this there were many discussions and then an agreement was reached between the two. Ronaldo was ready to return to the team again, but before that he suddenly announced his retirement from international football.
Ronaldo's international career was full of records and achievements. He is the highest goalscorer for Portugal with 146 goals. He has won 3 international titles including Euro Cup and Nations Cup. However, the regret of not winning the World Cup title will remain with his career.
Now Ronaldo, who wore Portugal's number 7 jersey for 23 years, has decided to hand it over to the next generation. With this announcement his long international career for Portugal has come to an end.