Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from International Football with Portugal After Nearly 23-Year Career
Press coverage 3 newspapers covered this event: Al-Rai · Al-Qabas · Sarmad →
صورة: وكالة الأنباء الكويتية (كونا)
Cristiano Ronaldo announces his retirement from playing for the Portugal national team after a 23-year career and winning global titles.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Madrid, Nov 5 (KUNA) -- Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a career that spanned nearly 23 years with his country.
In a video message posted on his official social media accounts, the 41-year-old said the decision “was not easy,” adding that the time had come to return the number 7 jersey to the national team. He emphasized that for nearly 23 years he had been honored and responsible for wearing and defending it.
He added that he was ending a journey that began in August 2003 and changed his life forever, noting that throughout his international career he had sought to push beyond his limits, achieve victory, make history, and aspire to more, while affirming that he had given everything he had for the national team shirt.
This move marks the end of one of the longest international careers in football history. Since his debut, Ronaldo has played 234 matches for Portugal and scored 147 goals, holding the all-time records for most appearances and most goals by a male player at the international level, according to UEFA.
Ronaldo led Portugal to three major titles: the UEFA European Championship (Euro 2016), as well as the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
The announcement follows a period of tension within the Portuguese squad. Ronaldo left the team’s training camp on September 30 ahead of matches against Denmark and Norway, after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus over his role in the team. He later apologized and was handed a 30-day suspension and fined.
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