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Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty after record 234 appearances
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will no longer play for Portugal, ending an international career that began in 2003 and included six World Cups, a European Championship and the men’s international scoring record. His final appearance came in a 1-0 win over Wales on 24 September, after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus over his place in the team.
The 41-year-old said he was ready to pass on Portugal’s No 7 shirt, which he wore for 23 years. He scored a record 146 goals in 234 appearances for the national side; Portugal’s football federation thanked him and plans a tribute. Ronaldo is expected to continue playing for Al-Nassr, with 985 career goals as he pursues 1,000.
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In short
- Ronaldo has ended his Portugal career after 23 years.
- He scored 146 goals in 234 appearances.
- He is still pursuing 1,000 career goals with Al-Nassr.
How this story developed
- 1 hour ago Ronaldo also credited his family, supporters, teammates and staff, and his Portugal captaincy brought success at Euro 2016 and in the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
- 1 hour ago Further details placed his last Portugal outing in a 1-0 win over Wales on 24 September, following a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus, while the federation thanked him and planned a tribute.
- 1 hour ago Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced he would retire from Portugal after the November international break, ending a 23-year career in which he scored a men’s international record 146 goals in 234 appearances.
Full account
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced he will retire from international football, ending a Portugal career of 234 appearances and 146 goals. The 41-year-old made the announcement in a video posted on social media, saying he would pass the number seven shirt to the next generation. He described the decision as difficult and thanked his family, teammates, coaches, staff and the Portuguese public for their support over 23 years.
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in August 2003, before Euro 2004. He captained the side to its first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and was part of the teams that won the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. His 146 goals and 234 appearances are both international records, according to the reports.
His final Portugal appearance was a 1–0 Nations League win over Wales on 24 September. The first two reports say coach Jorge Jesus left him on the bench for the next match and indicated he would not start the one after that; Ronaldo then left the team’s training camp. Jesus later said Ronaldo could return, leaving the decision to the player. His retirement announcement follows that dispute.
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed gratitude for Ronaldo’s service and said it plans to organise a tribute. He is expected to continue playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, with the first two reports saying he is pursuing 1,000 career goals and has scored 985 so far. They also compare his departure with Lionel Messi’s recent farewell to Argentina; the third report instead focuses on Ronaldo’s achievements and his thanks to those who supported him.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The first two reports connect Ronaldo’s retirement to his disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus and give the circumstances of his last appearance. The third does not mention the dispute or identify his final match, instead highlighting his honours, records and farewell message.
The first two reports say Ronaldo will continue at club level, give his current career-goal tally and compare his departure with Messi’s. The third omits those details.
The third report says Ronaldo announced his intention to retire on 5 November and that he would hand back the shirt after the November international break. The first two describe the announcement as immediate and do not give that timing. The reports also differ in how they describe his honours: the first two refer to a European title, while the third additionally specifies the 2019 and 2025 Nations League wins.
Left-leaning outlets 1
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Centre outlets 1
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Right-leaning outlets 1
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Every side used: ronaldo, portugal
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Explained simply
Portugal’s men’s national football team represents the country in international competitions. Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and became a central figure in the side, wearing the No 7 shirt for much of his career.
Ronaldo helped Portugal win the 2016 European Championship, its first major international title, and played at six World Cups. His international goals and appearances set records, making his departure a significant change for the team and its supporters.
Coverage · 3 sources
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Cristiano Ronaldo calls time on Portugal career after 234 caps and 146 goals”.