Cristiano Ronaldo announces his retirement from the national team

Ronaldo has played 234 international matches for Portugal, scoring 146 goals. In 2016 he became European champion with his home country. He also won the Nations League twice with Portugal. Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in August 2003 at the age of 18 against Kazakhstan.

Fine of 255 euros after abrupt departure

In his message, Ronaldo spoke of victories “that I will never forget. There were defeats that I still find difficult to think about today." But he “also failed, I also suffered, there were moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese what I wanted so much. But I never gave up," said Portugal's record goalscorer and addressed his teammates: "I had the privilege of being your captain. But no captain goes alone. And you are part of my story.«

At the end of September, Ronaldo caused a scandal after he left the Portuguese training camp early in a dispute with national coach Jorge Jesus. The Al-Nassr attacker then accused the coach of breaking his word to give him playing time. The association therefore gave Ronaldo a 30-day ban and a fine of 255 euros. The sanction was imposed retroactively from September 30 and expired at the end of October.

Ronaldo later apologized to teammates and fans, but initially emphasized that he wanted to continue his career with the national team. Jesus had not ruled out a return in the end. Ronaldo recently stated that this would “probably” be his last year as a professional footballer.

Defending champion Portugal has won all four Nations League games so far, three of them without Ronaldo, and has already qualified for the quarter-finals two match days before the end of the group phase. The next games for Portugal are against Denmark (November 14th) and Wales (November 17th).