Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 23-year career with Portugal. The 41-year-old forward made the announcement through an emotional video message shared on social media on Thursday.

Ronaldo said it was time to hand over Portugal's iconic No. 7 jersey to the next generation. Reflecting on his journey, he said he never imagined this day would arrive, but he felt privileged to wear, defend and represent the national team's shirt across stadiums around the world for 23 years.

Ronaldo retires from international football as Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance-maker, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances.

One of the biggest highlights of his international career came in 2016, when he captained Portugal to its historic UEFA European Championship victory. He also helped the country win the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

Ronaldo's final appearance for Portugal came in September 2026. His international retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in football history. However, the announcement concerns his Portugal career and does not mean he has retired from club football.