CRISTIANO Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an extraordinary 23-year career with the Portugal national team to an end.
The Portugal captain, who made his senior international debut in 2003, confirmed the decision after more than two decades of representing his country at the highest level.
“Portugal will always be with me,” Ronaldo said in his retirement announcement, marking the end of an era for one of the greatest players in international football history.
Ronaldo leaves the national team as Portugal’s most-capped player and the leading goalscorer in men’s international football. He has made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals for Portugal, both world records.
His international career has been defined by longevity, goals and major trophies. Ronaldo helped Portugal win the UEFA European Championship in 2016, defeating hosts France 1–0 after extra time despite being forced off with an injury early in the final.
He was also part of Portugal’s 2019 UEFA Nations League-winning team, when they defeated the Netherlands 1–0 in Porto. Six years later, Portugal won the Nations League again in 2025, beating Spain on penalties after a 2–2 draw. Portugal consequently became the first nation to win the competition twice.
A Record-breaking International Career
Ronaldo’s list of international records is extensive. He is the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football, having surpassed Iran legend Ali Daei’s previous record of 109 goals in 2021. He also became the first male player to reach 200 international appearances in 2023.
The Portuguese forward also became the first player to score at six FIFA World Cup tournaments, further extending his remarkable record on the global stage.
His goalscoring consistency has been equally remarkable. Ronaldo has scored for Portugal in 23 consecutive calendar years, another international record, and remains comfortably ahead of his closest rivals on the all-time men’s international goalscoring list.
His journey with Portugal began at Euro 2004, where a teenage Ronaldo experienced the disappointment of losing the final to Greece on home soil. Twelve years later, he finally lifted the European Championship trophy, cementing his place in Portuguese football history.
Before Ronaldo’s era, Portugal had never won a major senior international trophy, despite finishing runners-up at Euro 2004. With Ronaldo as their leading figure, however, the nation went on to win Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles.
Although the World Cup remained the major international prize that eluded him, Ronaldo’s legacy with Portugal is already firmly established. His final World Cup appearance came at the 2026 tournament, where Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the last 16.
Ronaldo now leaves the international stage after more than two decades, having transformed Portugal from a team searching for its first major trophy into a two-time Nations League champion and European champion.
From a teenage debutant in 2003 to Portugal’s record appearance-maker, record goalscorer and most decorated player, Cristiano Ronaldo’s international chapter has come to an end.
Portugal will always be with him — and his legacy will remain part of Portugal’s football history forever.