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Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal national team
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international football, ending a 23-year career with the Portugal national team. The 41-year-old forward shared the decision via an emotional video on Instagram, stating it was time to hand back the iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo leaves the international stage as the all-time leading scorer and most-capped player in men’s soccer, with 146 goals and 234 appearances. His decorated career includes winning Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
The retirement follows a period of tension between Ronaldo and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. In September, Ronaldo reportedly left the national team training camp after being left on the bench during a match against Norway. The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently issued him a 30-day suspension and a fine. While Jesus expressed surprise at the timing, he stated he felt no guilt regarding the departure, noting that the decision was Ronaldo’s own.
Following his international retirement, Ronaldo will continue his club career with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he currently pursues the milestone of 1,000 professional career goals.
Entities
Al Nassr · Cristiano Ronaldo · Jorge Jesus · José Mourinho · Lothar Matthäus · Pedro Proença · Portugal · Portugal national football team · Portugal national team · Portuguese Football Federation · UEFA
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pedro Proença announced the federation will honor Ronaldo's career. www.sondakika.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.haberler.com
- [● 21 SOURCES] Ronaldo earned 146 goals in 234 matches for Portugal. www.bursahakimiyet.com.tr · www.ethnos.gr · www.sport.ro · teleradioamerica.com · www.haberaktuel.com · +15 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Ronaldo's retirement was allegedly influenced by disagreements with coach Jorge Jesus. www.bursahakimiyet.com.tr · www.ethnos.gr · www.sondakika.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.habername.com · +8 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The Portuguese Football Federation imposed a 30-day suspension and a fine on Ronaldo for leaving a camp without permission. teleradioamerica.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.digisport.ro · www.soccernews.com · www.haberler.com · +6 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Ronaldo won Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles. www.bursahakimiyet.com.tr · www.ethnos.gr · www.england365.gr · www.soccernews.com · www.correiodamanhacanada.com · +14 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Ronaldo will continue playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. teleradioamerica.com · icecric.news · sapo.pt · www.ethnos.gr · esportenaredemt.com.br · +2 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from the Portugal national team. www.si.com · geeky.com.ng · in.mashable.com · www.bursahakimiyet.com.tr · www.ethnos.gr · +18 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Ronaldo's final match for Portugal was a 1-0 win against Wales in the UEFA Nations League. www.bursahakimiyet.com.tr · teleradioamerica.com · www.soccernews.com · www.rri.co.id · www.ethnos.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ronaldo participated in six FIFA World Cups. geeky.com.ng · in.mashable.com · www.ethnos.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ronaldo scored against 49 different national teams. in.mashable.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ronaldo scored 14 goals in European Championship tournaments. in.mashable.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ronaldo scored in 96 separate international matches. in.mashable.com