Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an extraordinary 23-year career with Portugal. The 41-year-old forward confirmed his decision through an emotional social media message, revealing that he will hand back the iconic No. 7 jersey after the November international break.
Ronaldo’s announcement marks the end of one of the greatest international careers in football history. The Portugal captain leaves the national team as its most-capped player and leading goalscorer. His decision also follows a reported fallout with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus after Ronaldo was left on the bench and subsequently departed the team camp.
Cristiano Ronaldo releases emotional farewell letter to Portugal
In his retirement announcement with a video on X, Ronaldo thanked the Portuguese people, his teammates, coaching staff, family, and everyone who supported him throughout his international career. He also reflected on his achievements, difficult moments, and pride in representing his country for 23 years.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come to return the number 7 jersey of our national team. I never felt it belonged exclusively to me; rather, for 23 years, I had the privilege and the responsibility to wear it, to defend it, and to carry it with me into stadiums all over the world. Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future.
This was not an easy decision, because some choices are not made solely with the head—they are also made with the heart. I am concluding a journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever. When I look back and reflect on everything I 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 a little bit closer. I see millions of Portuguese people whom I never met personally, yet who became a part of my life.
Because, in the end, football is much more than just a game. Football is about people. Throughout my career with the national team, I always sought to push beyond my own limits.
I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, and I wanted to make history. I have always been demanding of myself. I always wanted more; I always believed we could go even further.
And I gave everything I had for this jersey. There were perfect afternoons and evenings, victories I will never forget, and defeats that are still difficult to recall even today. I also faced failures and suffering; there were moments when I wasn’t able to give the Portuguese people what they wanted most.
But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal. Over these years, I have learned some very simple truths.
Goals fade, trophies end up in museums, and records are eventually broken. But there is something that time can never erase: the place we hold in people’s hearts. If I have ever made you happy, if one of my goals has ever led you to embrace someone, forget a worry, or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it.
Because that is also what it means to be Portuguese. We suffer together, we rise together. We believe once again.
Portugal will always need young people who dream, players who never give up, and new generations who believe it is possible to reach places no one has ever reached before. Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.
To my teammates on the national team, I want to share a special word. Thank you for every sprint, every embrace, every argument, every moment of silence before stepping onto the pitch, every victory we celebrated together, and every defeat that made us stronger. I had the privilege of being your captain—but no captain walks alone.
And you are all part of my story. To all the coaches, officials, doctors, physiotherapists, kit men, staff, and the many others who have worked with me over the years: thank you so much. Many of you never appeared in the photographs.
Yet, without you, none of those photographs would have been possible. To my family, thank you for sharing this dream with me. Thank you for understanding the absences, the sacrifices, and the moments when the national team had to occupy a space that also belonged to you.
If I have come this far, it is because we have always walked hand in hand. And to the Portuguese people—to all the Portuguese scattered across the globe—I want to say one last thing. There is one image I will always carry with me.
The moment the national anthem begins. I look around and see my teammates, I see the stands, I see children, mothers, fathers, and grandparents—I see Portuguese people who traveled from so far away just to be there. And in those few minutes, our differences fade away. There are no clubs, no colors, no social classes, no professions, no differing opinions. There is only one passion: Portugal.
This is the sentiment I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Today, I conclude my journey on the pitch with the national team; I leave with my head held high, proud of the path I have taken, and with the knowledge that I gave everything I had for Portugal. But I will never stop being one of you.
I will continue to suffer, cheer, and celebrate every victory for Portugal, just as I always have. I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today, I realize that my greatest victory was having the honor of representing the best country in the world.
Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for allowing me to live a dream that began when I was just a boy in Madeira, chasing after a ball.
The pride of having worn this jersey will be mine forever. Portugal will always be a part of me. Farewell.
Cristiano Ronaldo.”
[The above message is translated to English by Google from Portuguese]
