Cristiano Ronaldo sensationally quits international football just weeks after fallout with manager

Crisitano Ronaldo shares the 2026 World Cup will be his last | PA. The 41-year-old has hung up his boots with the national team, where he became his nation's best-ever player.

Ronaldo released a five-minute video on social media sharing his journey with the national team, alongside the caption: "Portugal will always be in me." The footballing icon's decision comes just weeks after a fallout with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo shared a lengthy message "to the Portuguese people" on social media, saying: "The day has come to return the number seven jersey of our national team.

I never felt it as exclusively mine, but for 23 years I have had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, of defending it, and of taking it with me to stadiums all over the world. Today has come the moment to hand it over to the future." Ronaldo played at an incredible six World Cups, featuring this summer as Portugal reached the round of 16, before being knocked out by eventual winners Spain.

The 41-year-old won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019. Explaining his reasoning, Ronaldo said: "It wasn't an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head, they are also made with the heart.

I am ending a journey that began in August 2003 and I give my life to it forever. When I look back and think about everything I lived through in the national team, I don't just see games, goals, records, or trophies.

I see expatriates who for 90 minutes felt Portugal a little closer. I see millions of Portuguese people whom I never met personally, but who became part of my life, because at the end of everything, football is much bigger than a game.

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