Cristiano Ronaldo's statement in full as he retires from international football
Cristiano Ronaldo hasretired from international footballat the age of 41, hanging up his boots after a legendary career with Portugal. Ronaldo played for Portugal for 23 years, scoring a ludicrous 146 goals in 234 games to become international football's all-time top scorer, and captained his country to their first major title when they triumphed at Euro 2016.
He also lifted Nations League crowns in 2019 and 2025, although his time on the international stage ended in acrimonyafter he walked out of Portugal camplast month after being left as an unused substitute in a match against Norway - claiming new manager Jorge Jesus twice broke promises to him. He announced his decision in a video on Instagram and will now continue to strive for his stated target of 1,000 career goals at club side Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, needing just 15 more to reach the remarkable milestone.
Here's everything Ronaldo had to say about his retirement: Cristiano Ronaldo's statement in full "The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. 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.
When I look back at everything with the national team, I don't just see the matches, goals, records or trophies. I see the Portuguese people living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home.
I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who became part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game.
I wanted to win, I wanted to be better, I wanted to make history. I always demanded the most of myself."