Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the legendary names of world football, announced that he has ended his career in the Portuguese National Team.
The 41-year-old football player, who published a farewell video of approximately 5 minutes on his social media account, stated that his national team journey, which started in August 2003, was over.
Addressing the Portuguese people, Ronaldo said that the number 7 jersey he carried for 23 years meant a lot to him.
"I AM DELIVERING JERSEY NUMBER 7 TO THE FUTURE"
Stating that the decision to end his national team career was not easy, Ronaldo used the following statements in his statement:
"To the Portuguese... The day has come for all of us to give back the number 7 jersey of our national team. I never felt that it belonged only to me. However, it was a privilege and responsibility for me to wear this jersey for 23 years, defend it and carry it to stadiums around the world. Today it is 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."
"I NEVER GIVE UP"
Evaluating the successes and disappointments he experienced with the national team jersey, Ronaldo emphasized that football is not just about trophies and records for him.
Ronaldo said, "I've had perfect days and nights. I've won victories that I'll never forget. I've had defeats that even today I have a hard time remembering. I made mistakes too, I suffered too. But I never gave up. I never lost the pride I felt in representing Portugal."
Drawing attention to the place of football in people's lives, the Portuguese star said, "Goals pass, cups stay in museums, records are broken one day. But there is one thing that time can never erase: The place we have in people's hearts."
"MY BIGGEST VICTORY WAS REPRESENTING PORTUGAL"
Thanking his teammates, technical teams, family and Portuguese people, Ronaldo shared an emotional farewell message at the end of his statement.
"Today, my journey on the field with the national team ends. I leave with my head held high. I am proud of the path I have gone through and I know that I gave everything I could for Portugal," Ronaldo said.
Stating that he will continue to support Portugal, the star football player concluded his words as follows:
"I spent my life working to become the best football player in the world. Today I realize that my greatest victory was that I deserved to represent the best country in the world. Thank you for these 23 years. The number 7 jersey will remain, the pride of wearing it will be mine forever. Portugal will always live in me. Goodbye forever."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Cristiano Ronaldo wore the Portuguese National Team jersey for the first time in the friendly match against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003. He quickly became one of the important names of the team in his national team career, which he started when he was only 18 years old.
Ronaldo, who participated in his first major international tournament in EURO 2004, could not experience the joy of championship despite reaching the final with Portugal. Host Portugal lost 1-0 to Greece in the final.
Ronaldo, who was also part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup, became the captain of the national team in the following years.
The Portuguese star achieved the most important success of his national team career in EURO 2016. Portugal became the European champion for the first time in its history by defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
Portugal, under the captaincy of Ronaldo, became the first champion of the UEFA Nations League in 2019, and won the cup for the second time in the same organization in 2025.
Competing in six European Championships and six World Cups, Ronaldo made history as the player who played the most matches and scored the most goals in men's international football.
The star football player announced that he would not participate in the tournament again after Portugal was eliminated by Spain in the 2026 World Cup.
