Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portugal national team on Thursday in a social media post, stating he would "hand back the number 7 shirt." The 41-year-old Portuguese player said the decision "was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart."
Ronaldo's final appearance for Portugal came on September 24 in a 1-0 win over Wales in the Nations League. Coach Jorge Jesus subsequently kept him on the bench and said he did not plan to start him in the next match, prompting Ronaldo to leave the team's training camp.
Over a 23-year international career, Ronaldo made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals for Portugal, holding the all-time records for both international appearances and goals. He captained Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 and helped them win the 2019 and 2025 Nations Leagues.
The Portuguese football federation released a statement expressing "deep gratitude and immense admiration" for Ronaldo's service. The federation said it intends to organize a tribute to Ronaldo "in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much."
Ronaldo will continue playing at club level for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia through the end of this season. He has scored 985 career goals and is pursuing his 1,000th.