"I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history. I also made mistakes, but I never gave up." These words probably contain Cristiano Ronaldo's entire career: the limitless ambition that took him to the top of world football and, at the same time, the ability to recognize the mistakes made along the way. It is one of the most significant passages of the video message with which the Portuguese champion announced his farewell to the national team at the age of 41, closing a story that began in August 2003. A video that quickly went viral, with tens of millions of views and millions of comments in just a few hours, relaunched by the main international media. The decision was partly expected, also in light of the tensions of recent months with the coach Jorge Jesus, which culminated with the abandonment of the Seleção retreat after an exclusion and the subsequent controversies.
The tone chosen by Ronaldo was less predictable, appearing more reflective and self-critical compared to the image that accompanied him for most of his career. Appearing in the video is Cr7 but, closing your eyes, you have the sensation of listening to the words of "I wanted to be a tough guy", a success from a few years ago by Lucio Corsi, where the true champion is the common man with all his fragilities. In the video there are no claims or triumphalist balance sheets. "It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not only made with the head. They are also made with the heart", explains Ronaldo. And again: "Football is much more than a game. Football is people."
"When I look back I don't just see matches, goals, records or trophies. I see people", he states in what is probably the most touching passage of the message, remembering in particular the emigrants who for ninety minutes, watching a national team match, felt closer to their country. There is no lack of self-criticism either. "I also made mistakes, I also suffered, there were moments when I wasn't able to give the Portuguese what they wanted so much," admits the Portuguese captain. Ronaldo dedicates a good part of the video to thanks. To his teammates of all generations, to the coaches who guided him, to the federal managers, to the doctors, to the warehouse workers, to his family and above all to the fans. “I want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey.” This is the meaning of the long message that accompanies his farewell from the Seleção.
"If sometimes I made you happy, if sometimes a goal of mine made you hug someone, forget a difficult moment or be proud of our country, then it was worth it", adds the Portuguese champion. The farewell concerns only the national team. Ronaldo will in fact continue his career with Al Nassr. However, a chapter closes which coincides with the most important era of Portuguese football. In twenty-three years with the Seleção shirt he collected 234 appearances and 146 goals, absolute records in men's football for national teams. Above all, he led Portugal to win the European Championship in 2016, the first major trophy in its history, and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. Over the last fifteen years, part of the football debate has revolved around the rivalry with Lionel Messi, fueled by records, Golden Balls and endless comparisons. Yet in the message with which he bids farewell to the national team Ronaldo does not talk about rankings or records. It's about people, gratitude and even your own mistakes. A man who wanted to win everything, to be the best and who today feels the need to thank.
