Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty after falling out with Jesus
The 41-year-old ends a Portugal career of six World Cups and a European title, a day before the squad is named.
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he will not play for Portugal any more, ending an international career that took in six World Cups. The forward, 41, confirmed the decision in a video message posted on Instagram on Thursday.
Ronaldo said the moment had arrived to give back the number seven shirt, adding that he never regarded it as his alone. He described the choice as one made with the heart as much as the mind. He said a journey that started in August 2003 and altered his life was now ending.
The split followed a disagreement with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, his former Al-Nassr manager, whom he accused of breaking promises about playing time. Jesus left him on the bench for the match after his last appearance and said he did not intend to start him in the next one. Ronaldo had already served a 30-day suspension from his country's football federation for leaving the national team in the previous window.
His final Portugal appearance came on 24 September in a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales. He was an unused substitute for the first time in 18 years in a 2-1 win at Norway on Oct. 4. He apologised to his teammates for walking out and said he wanted to keep playing for the national team, though not to Jesus.
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed deep gratitude and immense admiration for his service, which began with a first cap in August 2003. It said it intends to organise a tribute in which fans and the country can applaud him once more. Ronaldo leaves as the leading men's international scorer, with a record 146 goals in 234 appearances.
He captained Portugal to Euro 2016 and to the inaugural Nations League title three years later, and again in 2025. He retires less than a month after Lionel Messi played his last game for Argentina. Ronaldo will continue at club level with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and is chasing his 1,000th career goal, sitting on 985. The announcement came a day before Jesus names his squad for the Nations League games against Denmark and Wales.
Written by NextGOAL · reviewed and approved by our team 18:49 · Spotted a mistake? Tell us