Cristiano Ronaldo has officially stepped away from international football at age 41, bringing down the curtain on a 23-year career with the Portugal national team after making history at his sixth World Cup over the summer, as reported by Sporting News.
Ronaldo Targets Career Milestone After International Retirement
- Ronaldo’s retirement leaves Al Nassr as his sole focus in the Saudi Pro League, where he needs 15 more goals to reach the monumental milestone of 1,000 career strikes.
- Portugal enters a post-Ronaldo era ahead of upcoming Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales following Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international soccer.
Tributes Pour in From Teammates and Global Icons
Following his announcement via a social media video where he read a letter to fans, teammates, and contemporaries, the global football community reacted swiftly. Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes voiced his appreciation on social media, stating, “Thank you for the inspiration. It was a privilege to share great moments for our team with my childhood idol,” according to Sporting News and ESPN.
Former English star Rio Ferdinand added, “It was a movie bro,” while Brazilian star Neymar simply posted “Legend,” as noted by Sporting News. Meanwhile, former Portuguese defender Pepe remarked, “It was more than just football. Thank you for everything, Cris.” Ronaldo exits international duty having amassed an unmatched 146 goals across 234 appearances for his country, securing victory at Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League triumphs along the way, as detailed by ESPN.
Former Clubs and Governing Bodies Honor the Milestone
Institutions across Europe where Ronaldo built his legendary club career—including Manchester United, Sporting CP, and Juventus—offered public congratulations. Manchester United posted on social media, “Congratulations on an incredible international career, Cristiano. Enjoy your retirement,” accompanied by a goat image signifying his status as the greatest of all time, according to ESPN. Sporting CP, where Ronaldo began his professional journey, shared, “Thank you for everything you did for our Nation. Forever in the history of Portugal.”
The Ballon d’Or organization, recognizing his five career awards as the second-most in the history of the accolade, released a lengthy tribute celebrating his two decades of historic moments. The Portuguese Football Federation announced plans to organize a massive official tribute to honor his 23 years of service to the national team, ensuring the country's most important player receives a farewell fitting his historic legacy.
| Metric / Detail | Ronaldo International Career Record |
|---|---|
| Total Caps | 234 appearances |
| International Goals | 146 goals |
| Major Trophies | Euro 2016, 2x UEFA Nations League |
Managing the Post-Ronaldo Era for Portugal
Ronaldo’s departure arrives just a day before manager Jorge Jesus is set to name his squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales, as reported by ESPN. Tensions had surfaced during the previous international break when Ronaldo was benched for a full 90 minutes for the first time since 2008, leading to a temporary departure from the training camp.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from the Portugal National Team, while his club career with Al-Nassr FC is expected to conclude around June 2027. pic.twitter.com/aCrWYQmYYO
Earlier coverage: Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal Retirement: World Reactions and Tributes
