Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, ending a record-breaking career with Portugal that spanned more than two decades. The 41-year-old forward, who made his senior debut in 2003, leaves as his country's all-time leading appearance maker and top scorer.
"The moment has come to pass it on to the future," Ronaldo said in a statement released on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The decision concludes a tenure that included victory at Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League, the only major trophies in Portugal's history.
Ronaldo earned 217 caps and scored 135 goals for the national team, both world records for a men's player. He represented Portugal at five European Championships and five World Cups, captaining the side for the majority of his later appearances.
The announcement comes after Portugal's most recent competitive fixtures, with Ronaldo opting to step aside ahead of the next international cycle. The Portuguese Football Federation is expected to honor his contribution in a forthcoming ceremony.
