And the expected decision was finally made. Cristiano Ronaldo announced that he is ending his national team career.
It was stated that Ronaldo, who left the national team camp before the match against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League, citing Jorge Jesus' statements, would end his national team career.
The Portuguese Football Federation imposed a 30-day deprivation of rights and a fine of 255 euros on Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the national team camp without permission after what happened.
Although famous names such as Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença intervened, Ronaldo did not change his decision.
"I AM LEAVING WITH MY HEAD HIGH"
Announcing his decision with an emotional statement on his social media account, Ronaldo said, "I am leaving with my head held high, proud of the path I have covered and knowing that I gave everything I could for Portugal." he said.
NATIONAL TEAM PERFORMANCE
Cristiano Ronaldo, who played 234 matches with the Portuguese National Team and produced 146 goals and 45 assists, is the player who played the most matches and scored the most goals in the history of the Portuguese National Team.
Ronaldo won 1 European Championship and 2 UEFA Nations League Championships with the Portuguese National Team.
FAREWELL MESSAGE
Cristiano Ronaldo said the following in his farewell statement:
"To the Portuguese people,
The day has come to return the number 7 jersey of our National Team. I've never felt it was 'just mine', but for 23 years I've had the privilege and responsibility to wear it, defend it and take it to stadiums around the world. Today is the time to hand it over to the future.
It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are made not only with the mind but also with the heart. A journey that started in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end. When I look back at everything I experienced with the national team, I don't just see matches, goals, records or trophies. I see people. I see immigrants who feel a little closer to Portugal for 90 minutes. I see millions of Portuguese people whom I have never met face to face, but who have become a part of my life. Because in the end, football is much bigger than a game. Football is about people.
I tried to exceed my limits throughout my career in the national team. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history. I've always been tough and tough on myself, I've always wanted more, I've always believed we could go further and I gave everything I could for this jersey. There were unforgettable afternoons, evenings and nights, there were victories I will never forget, there were defeats that are still hard to remember. I too have failed, I too have suffered, there were times when I could not give the Portuguese what they wanted, but I never gave up and above all I never stopped being proud to represent Portugal.
During these years I have learned very simple things. Goals come and go, trophies go to museums, records are eventually broken, but there is one thing that time can never erase: the place we occupy in people's hearts. If I made you happy even once, if one of my goals made you hug someone, if I made you forget a worry and make you proud of our country, then everything was worth it. Because that's what being Portuguese is all about. We suffer together, we rise together. We believe again.
Portugal will always need young people who dream, players who never give up, and new generations who believe they can reach where no one else can. Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.
I would like to say a few special words to my teammates in the national team. Thank you for every run, for every hug, for every argument, for every silence before stepping onto the field, for every victory we celebrate together, and for every defeat that makes us stronger. I have had the privilege of being your captain, but no captain walks alone and you are a part of my story.
Thanks to all the coaches, managers, doctors, physiotherapists, quartermasters, staff and many other people who have worked with me over these years. Many of you never appeared in the photos, but none of these photos would be possible without you.
To my family, thank you for sharing this dream with me. Thank you for understanding the absences, the sacrifices, and the times when the national team had to occupy a space that also belonged to you. If I've come this far, it's because you've always had my back.
And I want to say one last thing to the Portuguese people, to all Portuguese scattered around the world. There is an image that I will always carry with me: the moment the national anthem begins. I look around, I see my teammates, I see the stands, I see the children, mothers, fathers and grandparents, I see the Portuguese who have come from far away just to be there. And in those minutes we stop being different. There are no clubs, no colours, no classes, no professions, no views. There is only one passion. Portugal is the feeling I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Today is the end of my journey on the field with the national team. I leave with my head held high, proud of the progress I have made and knowing that I gave everything I could for Portugal. But I will never stop being one of you. I will continue to suffer with you, to be excited and to celebrate every victory of Portugal.
I've spent my life training to be the best player in the world. Today I realize that the greatest victory is to be worthy of representing the best country in the world.
Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for letting me live a dream that started when I was just a little kid chasing a ball in Madeira. Jersey number 7 will remain. The pride of wearing this jersey will forever be mine. Portugal will always be a part of me. Forever."
