Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 23-year career with Portugal in which he became one of the most influential figures in the country’s football history.
The 41-year-old confirmed his decision in an emotional farewell message shared in a video on X, reflecting on the privilege of representing his country, the sacrifices made along the way and the connection he built with Portuguese supporters around the world.
Ronaldo, who first represented Portugal in August 2003, described the decision as difficult, explaining that it was one he had to make with both his head and his heart.
“Today the time has come to give it to the future,” he said, referring to the national team’s famous number seven shirt, which he wore for 23 years.
“I never felt like it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility to wear it, to defend it and to take it with me to the stadiums all over the world.”
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward made it clear that his memories of Portugal went far beyond the goals, records and trophies accumulated during his international career.
“When I look back and think about everything I lived in the national team, I do not see only games, goals, records or trophies. I see people,” he said.
He spoke about Portuguese supporters who travelled around the world to watch the national team, as well as immigrants who felt closer to home whenever Portugal played.
“Because after all, football is much bigger than a game. Football is people,” he added.
A journey that began in 2003
Ronaldo’s international career began in August 2003, when he made his senior debut for Portugal as a teenager. Over the following 23 years, he became the face of the national team, carrying the responsibility of its captaincy and leading successive generations of players.
He acknowledged that the journey had not always been smooth, recalling the victories that defined his career alongside the defeats and personal disappointments that remained difficult to forget.
“I also failed, I also suffered, there were also times when I was not able to give the Portuguese what they wanted so much. But I never gave up,” he said.
“Above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.”
The 41-year-old also reflected on the temporary nature of sporting achievements, noting that goals are eventually forgotten, trophies find their way into museums and records are eventually broken.
For him, however, the lasting significance of his career would be the memories and emotions he created among supporters.
“If ever I made you happy, if ever a goal of mine made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel pride in our country, then everything was worth it,” Ronaldo said.
A message to teammates, family and supporters
Ronaldo reserved special appreciation for the teammates who shared the journey with him, acknowledging that the responsibility of captaining Portugal was never one he carried alone.
“I had the privilege of being your captain, but no captain walks alone. And you are part of my story,” he said.
He also thanked the coaches, medical personnel, backroom staff and other members of the national-team setup whose contributions often went unnoticed, as well as his family for accepting the sacrifices and absences that came with his international commitments.
The forward described the national anthem as one of the images he would carry with him for the rest of his life, recalling how it brought Portuguese supporters together regardless of their backgrounds, professions or club allegiances.
“There are no clubs, there are no colours, there are no classes, there are no professions, there are no opinions. There is only one passion. Portugal,” he said.
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Although his playing days with the national team are over, Ronaldo insisted that his emotional connection with the country would remain unchanged.
“I will continue to suffer, to vibrate and to celebrate every victory of Portugal as a symbol,” he said.
He closed his farewell by reflecting on the journey from a young boy in Madeira chasing a football to becoming the captain of his country.
“Today I realised that the greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world,” he said.
“Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for having believed in me. Thank you for having allowed me to live a dream that I started when I was just a boy, in Madeira, running after a ball.”
Ronaldo’s final words captured the significance of the shirt he wore for more than two decades: “Portugal will always be in me. Forever.”
His international chapter is closed, but his place in Portugal’s football story will endure.
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