Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he will retire from the Portugal national team, closing a 23-year international career. The 41-year-old confirmed the Ronaldo retirement in a social media post, with the exit set for after the November international break.
He leaves with 234 appearances and 146 goals for Portugal. Both totals are all-time records in international football. The announcement named no fixture for a final appearance.
Ronaldo retirement and the number 7 shirt
Ronaldo said he would "hand back the number 7 shirt" once the November international break is completed. He did not name a successor or a date for the handover. The post contained no further detail on the timing of his last cap.
Records at international level
The two totals are the core of the record. 234 caps. 146 goals. Both stand as all-time marks for men's international football, and neither has been matched.
"It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart."
"If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it."
He closed the announcement with a line addressed to the national team: "Portugal will always be a part of me." He also thanked his family, the Portuguese people, and the teammates, coaches and staff from his 23 years with the team.
Trophies and captaincy
Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016. He helped the team win the 2019 Nations League and the 2025 Nations League. Those three titles are the return on the international portion of the career.
Analysis: what the totals show
Analysis: the case rests on volume plus role. 146 goals across 234 caps sits above one goal every two appearances, a rate held over more than two decades. Longevity alone does not produce that ratio; a fixed starting position does. Portugal built its structure around one central reference point, and the numbers record it.
The original report appeared on gmanetwork.com.
