Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most extraordinary careers in the history of the Portugal national team. The 41-year-old forward confirmed his decision on November 5, 2026, marking the conclusion of a journey that began in August 2003.
After more than two decades representing his country, Ronaldo will finally hand back Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt, a number that became inseparable from his name, achievements, and identity.
The announcement closes a remarkable chapter in Portuguese football. However, Ronaldo’s retirement from international duty does not mean the end of his professional playing career, as he intends to continue competing at club level.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal Career Ends With Historic Records
Ronaldo made his senior international debut against Kazakhstan on August 20, 2003. At the time, few could have imagined the scale of his eventual achievements or the influence he would have on Portuguese football.
Over the next 23 years, he established himself as Portugal’s most successful player and one of the greatest international footballers of all time.
His international career concluded with 234 appearances and 146 goals, both all-time records in men’s international football.
Ronaldo also recorded 36 assists and played more than 17,900 minutes for Portugal, demonstrating his remarkable longevity at the highest level.
His final appearance for Portugal came against Wales on September 24, 2026, bringing his international playing career to a close after 23 years and 35 days.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal Career Statistics
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| International appearances | 234 |
| International goals | 146 |
| Assists | 36 |
| Minutes played | 17,900+ |
| Goals per game | 0.62 |
| Hat-tricks | 10 |
| Competitive goals | 124 |
| Friendly goals | 22 |
| Penalties scored | 22 |
Ronaldo’s numbers underline the extraordinary consistency that defined his international career. His 146 goals place him comfortably ahead of every other male international goalscorer in football history.
Euro 2016 and Nations League Titles Define His Legacy
Although Ronaldo accumulated countless individual records, his international career was also defined by major trophies.
His most significant achievement came at UEFA Euro 2016, when Portugal won its first major international tournament.
Despite suffering an injury during the final against France, Ronaldo continued to support his teammates from the sidelines as Portugal secured a historic 1-0 victory in extra time.
The triumph represented a defining moment for Portuguese football and fulfilled a long-standing ambition for the national team.
Ronaldo also helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025, adding two more international trophies to his collection.
Ronaldo’s Major International Honors
- UEFA European Championship: 2016
- UEFA Nations League: 2019 and 2025
- UEFA Euro Golden Boot: 2020
- UEFA Euro Silver Boot: 2016
These achievements established Ronaldo as one of the most influential players in Portugal’s football history, combining individual excellence with success on the international stage.
Six World Cups and a Record-Breaking International Career
Ronaldo’s longevity allowed him to achieve milestones that once seemed impossible.
He became the first male footballer to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, finding the net in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
His World Cup record includes 11 goals across 27 appearances in the tournament’s final stages, making him Portugal’s leading World Cup goalscorer.
Ronaldo also holds the record for the most appearances and goals in UEFA European Championship history.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Euro Qualifiers | 44 | 41 |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | 47 | 41 |
| UEFA European Championship | 30 | 14 |
| UEFA Nations League | 20 | 15 |
| FIFA World Cup | 27 | 11 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 4 | 2 |
| International Friendlies | 62 | 22 |
| Total | 234 | 146 |
His ability to maintain elite performance across multiple generations of international football made him an exceptional figure in the sport.
Ronaldo also scored against 49 different national teams, with Luxembourg, Hungary, Lithuania, Sweden, and Andorra among his most frequent opponents.
His most prolific calendar year for Portugal came in 2019, when he scored 14 goals in 10 appearances.
Ronaldo Leaves Portugal’s All-Time Records Untouched
Ronaldo’s retirement leaves behind statistical achievements that may take decades for another Portuguese player to challenge.
His scoring record is particularly remarkable when compared with the country’s previous greats.
Portugal’s All-Time Leading Goalscorers
- Cristiano Ronaldo — 146 goals
- Pedro Pauleta — 47 goals
- Eusébio — 41 goals
- Luís Figo — 32 goals
- Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Gomes — 29 goals
Ronaldo scored 99 more international goals than Pauleta, Portugal’s second-highest scorer.
His dominance is equally evident in appearances.
Portugal’s All-Time Appearance Leaders
- Cristiano Ronaldo — 234 caps
- João Moutinho — 146 caps
- Pepe — 141 caps
- Luís Figo — 127 caps
- Bernardo Silva — 115 caps
Ronaldo’s 234 appearances place him 88 caps ahead of Moutinho.
He also recorded 10 international hat-tricks, while no other Portuguese player has managed more than three.
These numbers reflect not only his ability but also his remarkable durability and commitment to representing his country.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Emotional Farewell Message
Ronaldo’s retirement announcement focused on more than goals, trophies, and records.
In his farewell message, he reflected on the responsibility of wearing Portugal’s No. 7 shirt and the emotional connection he developed with supporters around the world.
He explained that the shirt never belonged to him alone and that carrying its responsibility for 23 years had been a privilege.
“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.”
Ronaldo acknowledged the unforgettable victories and painful defeats that shaped his career, emphasizing that he always gave everything he had for Portugal.
He also expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, medical staff, and everyone who supported him throughout his international journey.
One of the most meaningful parts of his statement reflected how representing Portugal connected people across the world.
For Ronaldo, wearing the national shirt was about helping Portuguese supporters living abroad feel closer to their homeland, even if only for 90 minutes.
He concluded by reflecting on the lasting meaning of representing his country:
“I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today, I realise that my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world.”
His words captured the emotional significance of international football and the pride he felt throughout his career.
Who Will Wear Portugal’s No. 7 Shirt After Ronaldo?
Ronaldo’s retirement also raises an important question about the future of Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt.
Rafael Leão has already worn the number during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark on October 1, 2026.
Leão previously wore No. 17 for Portugal, but he was assigned the No. 7 shirt following Ronaldo’s departure from the national team camp.
However, his appearance in the number does not necessarily mean he has been permanently appointed as Ronaldo’s successor.
International football regulations require teams to assign shirt numbers for official match squads, meaning Portugal cannot simply leave the number unused during a match.
The Portuguese Football Federation has not officially announced a permanent successor.
Other players, including Francisco Conceição and Pedro Neto, could also be considered for the number depending on future squad selections.
Regardless of who eventually wears it, the No. 7 shirt will carry an extraordinary legacy after Ronaldo’s 23-year international career.
Ronaldo’s Portugal Journey Ends, but His Football Career Continues
Although his international career has come to an end, Ronaldo is not retiring from professional football altogether.
The forward will continue playing at club level with Al-Nassr, extending a career that has already spanned more than two decades.
His departure from Portugal marks the end of an era for the national team, but his influence will remain visible for generations.
From a young debutant in 2003 to the captain who lifted major international trophies, Ronaldo transformed Portugal’s expectations and established a standard that future players will aspire to reach.
The goals will eventually be surpassed, the trophies will become part of history, and another player will wear the No. 7 shirt. But the pride, passion, and memories Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal will endure forever.
Portugal estará sempre em mim — Portugal will always be in me.
