Cristiano Ronaldo says goodbye to the Portuguese national team after 23 years

For the Portuguese, the day has come to return the number seven shirt to all of us. It was not an easy decision, because decisions are not just made with the head, they are also made with the heart.”

The retirement announcement came after a struggle between Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus. Just over a month ago, the striker left the Portuguese national team camp.

The crisis began in the duel against Norway, at the end of September. Cristiano spent much of the second half warming up, but did not enter the field. He said that there was an arrangement to play 30 minutes against the Norwegians and that the agreement was for Jorge Jesus to publicly acknowledge the error. Which didn't happen. This Thursday (5), the coach reacted to the striker’s retirement:

"I have to accept his decision, but he will always be in the hearts of the Portuguese, in the national team."

The striker says goodbye to Portugal as the top national team scorer in the world: 146 goals in 234 matches. All the titles in the history of the Portuguese national team were won during the Cristiano Ronaldo era. The Euro Cup, in 2016, and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He says goodbye to the national team after 23 years, but will continue playing for Al-Nassr, in Saudi Arabia, even at 41 years of age.