Portugal’s football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international duty, closing a 23‑year chapter that saw him become the most capped player and top scorer in the history of the national team.
The 41‑year‑old, who has appeared 234 times for the Portuguese side and netted 146 goals, will miss future fixtures, including the Nations League clash against Denmark on November 14 in Braga and the final group match against Wales.
Ronaldo’s international career began in 2004 when he debuted at 18 in a friendly against Kazakhstan, coming on for Luis Figo. He wore the number 17 jersey from the start, a number that became synonymous with his brand CR7 after Figo’s retirement in 2006.
His final appearance came on September 24 in a 1‑0 victory over Wales, where he was substituted in the 67th minute. A subsequent decision by coach Jorge Jesus to keep him on the bench in the next match sparked a heated fallout, leading to a 30‑day suspension and a €255 fine for the player.
Throughout his tenure, Ronaldo helped Portugal reach new heights. He captained the team to its first major title at Euro 2016 and later secured the Nations League trophy in 2019 and 2025. Under his leadership, Portugal qualified for every World Cup and European Championship since 2004, a stark contrast to the nation’s sporadic appearances before his arrival.
Ronaldo’s record books are extensive: he was the first player to reach 200 international caps, the first European to score 100 international goals, and the first to score 10 international hat‑tricks. He also became the first player to both play and score in six different World Cups.
While his club career continues with Al‑Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where his next match is scheduled for November 20 against Al‑Qadsiah, his international legacy remains unmatched. His departure marks the end of an era for Portuguese football and sets a high bar for future generations.
Source: Al Jazeera
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