Ronaldo quits Portugal duty after record 146 goals in 234 caps
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced on Thursday in a social media video that he is handing back Portugal's No 7 shirt. His 23-year international career ends weeks after a public fallout with coach Jorge Jesus.
Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football. He announced the decision in a long video message on social media on Thursday. "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No 7 shirt of our national team," the 41-year-old said, according to The Guardian. He added that the decision was not easy because "some decisions are not made with the mind alone". Ronaldo leaves with 234 caps and 146 goals. BBC Sport, quoted by Nile Post, said both figures are world records. His international career began in August 2003. Pulse Live Kenya reported that he made his debut against Kazakhstan. The Guardian said his career spanned six World Cups. Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first European Championship title in 2016 and won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. His exit follows a public dispute with coach Jorge Jesus. The Eastleigh Voice reported that the row began on September 27, when Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo. Ronaldo warmed up but stayed on the bench. He left the camp in Copenhagen on September 30, before the October 1 match against Denmark. In an October 6 statement, he accused Jesus of breaking his word twice. Jesus denied making the agreement Ronaldo described.…
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