Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal international duty
Cristiano Ronaldo said in an Instagram video on 5 November 2026 that he is retiring from international football. The 41-year-old forward announced the end of his Portugal career.
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and finishes his national-team career with 234 caps and 146 goals, figures described in the source as world records. He won Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, and appeared at six European Championships, with Portugal runners-up in 2004.
Ronaldo said in an Instagram video: "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team," "I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world. "Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone - they are also made with the heart. "A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end."
He walked out of the Portugal camp in September after being told he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark. Ronaldo had previously fallen out with new coach Jorge Jesus after being named as a substitute against Norway; he was reportedly angry at being made to warm up in the second half but not brought on, the first time he was an unused substitute for Portugal in a competitive game since 2008.
When Jesus said in a news conference that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo left the camp and issued a lengthy statement in which he said he would not be retiring and that Jesus had twice "broke his word". Jesus said the door remained open for a return, while the Portugal Football Federation fined Ronaldo £215 and suspended him for 30 days — a period that did not include any Portugal games.
Ronaldo featured in his sixth World Cup this summer, when Portugal lost to eventual champions Spain in the last 16. His performances in the tournament drew criticism in the media, with many observers questioning if he remained a force at international level.
The Portugal Football Federation said it would not "let this farewell take place without due tribute". A PFF statement added: "It is our firm and immense desire to organise, plan, participate and actively collaborate in what will always be a fitting tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo's immense career, in which fans and the country can applaud and celebrate, once again, the player who has given us so much."
Portugal will announce their squad on Friday for this month's Nations League fixtures against Denmark at home and Wales away. The PFF has said it wants to organise and collaborate in a fitting tribute to Ronaldo during that period.
