---
title: "Cristiano Ronaldo Announces International Football Retirement"
url: https://noti.group/cristiano-ronaldo-announces-international-football-retirement/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Sports"
published: 2026-11-05T12:28:01.000Z
updated: 2026-11-05T14:58:28.998Z
id: feda4feb-7d9d-48e8-b889-6aa0ae15a882
source: "BBC Sport https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cme8rxx2e1w9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/cristiano-ronaldo-announces-international-football-retirement/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Cristiano Ronaldo Announces International Football Retirement

Portugal's all-time leading scorer has announced his retirement from international football, bringing to an end a 23-year career.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing to an end a storied career that spanned 23 years.

The 41-year-old forward made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and went on to become the country's all-time leading scorer with 146 goals, as well as earning a record 234 caps. His contributions to the national team have left an indelible mark on Portuguese football history.

Ronaldo's decision to retire from international duty comes after he walked out of the Portugal camp in September following a disagreement over playing time, resulting in a £215 fine and a 30-day suspension. The incident marked a turning point in his relationship with the team.

In a heartfelt Instagram video message, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude to the Portuguese people for allowing him to wear the number seven shirt of the national team. He stated that he never felt ownership over the jersey, but rather saw it as a privilege and responsibility.

The news of Ronaldo's retirement comes ahead of Portugal's next set of Nations League fixtures, which include matches against Denmark at home and Wales away. The Portuguese Football Federation (PFF) has announced plans to pay tribute to Ronaldo in recognition of his remarkable service to the team.

The tribute plans come as Ronaldo reflects on his illustrious international career, which has spanned six European Championships and numerous other prestigious tournaments.

During his tenure, Portugal achieved notable success, including finishing runners-up in 2004 and claiming the championship title in 2016 at a major tournament. The team's World Cup performance during his playing years was less impressive, failing to progress beyond the semi-finals.

Ronaldo has been an integral part of Portugal's squad since being appointed captain in 2008, leading the team to victory in the inaugural Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025. This achievement underscores his enduring influence on the national side.

The news of Ronaldo's tribute plans coincides with a recent high-profile international retirement: that of Lionel Messi, who stepped away from Argentina duty after a memorable farewell ceremony in front of an enormous crowd in Buenos Aires last October.

Ronaldo's own performances at this summer's World Cup were met with criticism from some quarters, as he struggled to make an impact on the pitch and faced questions about his continued relevance at the international level.

Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to retire from Portugal duty has been met with a complex reaction from those close to him.

The rift between Ronaldo and Fernando Santos' coaching staff had been building for some time, culminating in Ronaldo leaving the team camp after being left out of the starting lineup against Denmark. This move was seen as a significant escalation of tensions, which were further fueled by Ronaldo's public criticism of the coaching staff for breaking their word.

In response to Ronaldo's departure, the Portuguese Football Federation (PFF) took disciplinary action against him, fining him and suspending him from international duty for 30 days. This suspension did not affect his eligibility to play in Portugal's upcoming games, however.

Ronaldo reflected on his time with the national team in a farewell video, acknowledging that he had made mistakes and struggled to meet expectations at times, but remained proud to have represented Portugal throughout his career.

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Source: [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cme8rxx2e1w9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/cristiano-ronaldo-announces-international-football-retirement/