Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players in world sports history and Portugal’s most celebrated footballer, announced on Thursday, November 5, that he is retiring from the Portuguese national team.

The 41-year-old Madeira-born superstar announced his decision in an emotional social media video, saying the time had come to relinquish Portugal’s iconic No. 7 jersey. Ronaldo will continue playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed his retirement and announced plans for a special tribute honoring his contribution to Portuguese football. 

The announcement brings to a close an extraordinary 23-year international career that transformed Portuguese football and inspired millions of supporters worldwide, including generations of Portuguese expatriates and their descendants. “It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart,” he said.

“Portugal will always be in me,” Ronaldo wrote, reflecting on a career that began in August 2003 and included six World Cup appearances, the historic European Championship victory in 2016, and UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. 

In his farewell message, Ronaldo emphasized that his greatest achievement was not the records or trophies but the privilege of representing his country. “Today I finish my walk on the pitch with the national team,” he said, adding that he was leaving with pride in what he had accomplished for Portugal.

Ronald also paid particular tribute to Portuguese emigrants, recalling those who watched Portugal’s matches from abroad and felt closer to their homeland through football. He acknowledged the emotional significance of those connections in his farewell message, reflecting on the joy his goals had brought to supporters and the pride of representing Portugal. 

For Portuguese communities across the world, Ronaldo’s departure marks the end of an era. For millions of Portuguese living abroad and their descendants, Ronaldo has represented a powerful connection to their homeland, bringing generations together through the national team’s victories and international competitions.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) issued an emotional statement expressing its gratitude to Ronaldo, describing him as an inspirational leader whose legacy extended far beyond football, praising him as “an inspiring leader and an example of dedication.” It announced the intention to organize a special tribute allowing supporters and the nation to celebrate his extraordinary contribution.

Portuguese President António José Seguro and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo.

President António José Seguro, in a message published through the official account of the Presidency of the Republic, thanked Ronaldo for his contribution to Portuguese football and national pride. “On behalf of Portugal, I thank Cristiano Ronaldo for the way he represented the national team, inspired the Portuguese people, and carried Portugal’s name around the world,” he said.

The President also acknowledged the emotional significance of Ronaldo’s decision, describing it as potentially one of the most difficult moments of his sporting career. He expressed confidence that the Portuguese people would continue to support him and that Ronaldo’s commitment to his country would endure. “Many congratulations, Cristiano. And thank you very much,” Seguro concluded.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed the nation’s gratitude, emphasizing Ronaldo’s lasting contribution to Portugal’s international reputation. “What you did on the field for Portugal will echo for eternity. And now, off the field, you will continue to represent Portugal to the world.”

Former Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also paid tribute to the football legend, declaring: “Cristiano Ronaldo was and is the greatest and the best of Portugal, Europe and the world.”

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who shared the national team dressing room with Ronaldo, expressed his appreciation in a social media message: “Thank you for the inspiration. It was a privilege to share great moments with my childhood idol on our national team,” he stated.

Former Portugal goalkeeper Beto described Ronaldo as more than a footballer, calling him a symbol of Portugal and an inspiration to millions. Brazil’s Neymar offered a succinct tribute, calling Ronaldo a “Lenda” — Legend. Manchester United, one of Ronaldo’s former clubs, also congratulated him on his extraordinary international career.

Retirement follows controversial dispute

Ronaldo’s announcement follows a difficult period involving Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. In September, the captain left the national team camp following disagreements over his playing time, subsequently receiving a 30-day suspension and a fine from the Portuguese Football Federation.

In an October statement, Ronaldo apologized for leaving the squad and acknowledged that his conduct had been inappropriate. At the time, Jesus publicly expressed his desire for Ronaldo to remain with the national team, praising his dedication and influence. Despite the controversy, Ronaldo’s farewell message emphasized gratitude, national pride, and his belief that younger generations would continue Portugal’s footballing success.

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves international football with 146 goals, the men’s world record, and more than 230 appearances for Portugal. His achievements include leading Portugal to its first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and helping the country secure two UEFA Nations League championships. His final World Cup appearance came in 2026, when Portugal was eliminated by Spain in the round of 16. 

His rise from humble beginnings in Madeira to international superstardom also made him one of Portugal’s most recognizable cultural ambassadors. Beyond football, his achievements helped introduce Portugal to global audiences and strengthened the country’s visibility internationally.

For Portuguese supporters around the world, Ronaldo’s departure represents more than the retirement of an exceptional athlete. It marks the conclusion of a remarkable chapter in Portugal’s sporting history, one in which a young footballer from Madeira became a global symbol of Portuguese achievement, perseverance and national identity.

Carolina Matos/ Editor / With PAJ Staff/ This developing story will be updated

 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s full statement:

 

“To the Portuguese people,

The day has come to hand back the shirt and the captain’s armband of the national team that belongs to all of us.

I never felt that it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years, I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me to stadiums all around the world.

Today, the moment has come to pass it on to the future.

It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the head alone. They are also made with the heart.

I am bringing to an end a journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever.

When I look back and think about 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 a little closer to Portugal. I see millions of Portuguese people whom I never met personally, but who became part of my life.

Because, at the end of the day, football is much bigger than a game. Football is about people.

Throughout my entire career with the national team, I always tried to push beyond my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history.

I was always demanding of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further, and I gave everything I had for this shirt.

There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember today.

I also failed. I also suffered. There were moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese people what they wanted so badly. But I never gave up.

And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.

Over these years, I learned some very simple things: goals come and go, trophies end up in museums, records are eventually broken, but there is something that time can never erase.

The place I hold in people’s hearts.

If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry, or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it.

Because being Portuguese is also about that.

We suffer together. We get back up together. We believe 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 reached before.

Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.

To my national team teammates, I want to leave a special message.

Thank you for every run, every hug, 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.