Cristiano Ronaldo Retires From Portugal After 23 Years and 146 Goals
The 41-year-old legend steps away from national duty, holding global records for appearances and goals, with one final match scheduled for November 14.
By Leah Thompson ·
Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving the national stage. The 41-year-old Portuguese striker announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, ending a 23-year run for his country. His final match for Portugal remains scheduled for November 14, when the team hosts Denmark in Braga.
Ronaldo finished his international career with 234 appearances and 146 goals. These figures secure his place as the all-time leader in men's international football for both categories. He also became the first player to reach 200 appearances for a men's national team, a milestone achieved during a 2024 Euro qualifier against Iceland.
The decision to step back followed a conflict with coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo played in a 1-0 win over Wales on September 24, where he was substituted in the 67th minute. Jesus subsequently benched him for the next game, a move that triggered a dispute. The player was suspended for 30 days and fined 255 euros, or approximately 285 dollars, before officially stepping down.
Ronaldo debuted for Portugal at age 18 in a friendly against Kazakhstan. He entered as a half-time substitute for Luis Figo, wearing a number 17 shirt because Figo held the number 7 jersey. Ronaldo switched to the iconic number 7 only after Figo retired in 2006. The number has since become central to his personal brand, CR7.
His tenure transformed Portugal's presence at major tournaments. Before his arrival, Portugal had qualified for only three World Cups and three European Championships. Under his leadership, the team qualified for every edition of both competitions. He captained the squad to their first major trophy at Euro 2016, followed by Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Ronaldo holds specific records in tournament play. He is Portugal's top scorer at the World Cup with 11 goals in 27 games. He scored in 23 consecutive calendar years from 2004 to 2026. He became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match at age 41 and 147 days. His penalty goal against Croatia in the 2026 round of 32 was his final World Cup goal.
On the European Championship stage, Ronaldo recorded 30 appearances and 14 goals across six tournaments. These are all-time records for the competition. He played in his final World Cup against Angola in 2006 and scored his first goal in the tournament against Iran. The Denmark match in Braga on November 14 offers him one last chance to adjust his statistical record before his club schedule resumes.
