Cristiano Ronaldo calls time on Portugal career after 23 years

The iconic Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international football. In a 23-year international career, the 41-year-old went on to play at six World Cup tournaments and also captained his nation to the Euro 2016 title. 

The announcement marked the end of a lauded career that began in 2003 and finished with him walking out on the national team after falling out with coach Jorge Jesus.

“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No.7 shirt of our national team,” the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said in a long video message on social media. “I never felt it belonged to me alone but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.

“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”

Ronaldo’s last appearance for Portugal was on 24 September in a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales. Jesus kept him on the bench for the following match against Norway and said he didn’t plan to start him in the next one which was against Wales. Ronaldo then decided to leave the team’s training camp. Although this action was controversial, Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcomed back should he wish to return. 

The Portuguese Football Federation released a statement expressing “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for Ronaldo’s service to the country. “Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal’s profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!” the federation said. It said it intends to organise a tribute to Ronaldo “in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much”.

Ronaldo will keep playing at club level, and is expected to finish his professional career at the end of this season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He is in pursuit of his 1,000th career goal and currently sits on 985. Of those, a record 146 goals came in 234 appearances with Portugal.