Cristiano Ronaldo Retires From Portugal's National Team With World Records of 146 Goals and 234 Caps

By The Arena Staff

LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 5, 2026 — Cristiano Ronaldo is done playing for Portugal.

The 41-year-old forward announced his retirement from international soccer Thursday in a video posted to Instagram, ending a national-team career that began in August 2003. He leaves with 146 goals in 234 appearances, both men's world records, BBC Sport and The Associated Press reported.

"To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt," Ronaldo said. "It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart."

He closed with a message to fans. "If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it," he said. "Portugal will always be a part of me."

Ronaldo led Portugal to its first major title at Euro 2016 and won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He also reached the Euro 2004 final on home soil, which Portugal lost. He played in six European Championships and six World Cups, the last of them this summer, when Portugal went out in the round of 16 against eventual champion Spain.

The end came after a rough stretch with coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo was an unused substitute against Norway, then left the national-team camp in September after being told he would not start against Denmark, saying Jesus had broken his word, according to BBC Sport. The Portuguese Football Federation fined him and suspended him for 30 days. His most recent appearance for Portugal came Sept. 24 in a 1-0 win over Wales.

The federation said it is planning a tribute and said in a statement that "for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!" Reuters reported that Ronaldo will hand back the No. 7 shirt after the November international window. Portugal is scheduled to name its squad Friday for Nations League games at home against Denmark and away against Wales.

Ronaldo is continuing his club career with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where it is expected to end after this season. He has 985 career goals for club and country, 15 short of 1,000. His announcement comes a month after Lionel Messi retired from Argentina's national team.

Sources: BBC Sport, Al Jazeera, drawing on AP and Reuters, and Reuters via Dawn.