Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal’s senior national team in 2003 and has scored a record 146 goals in 234 international matches, more than any other male footballer in history.
The day has come for me to hand over the number 7 shirt. It has never been mine, but for 23 years I have had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it. Now the time has come to pass it on, Ronaldo says in a video on Instagram.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 and the Nations League in the 2018-2019 and 2024-2025 seasons.
This has not been an easy decision. This journey began in 2003 and it has changed my life. When I look back, I don't see the matches, the goals, the records or the titles. I see the people. I see all the Portuguese people around the world who, for 90 minutes, can feel a little closer to Portugal. I see millions of Portuguese people whom I have never met, who have become part of my life, he says.
In late September, Ronaldo got into an argument with national team coach Jorge Jesus after being left on the bench for the entire match against Norway in the Nations League. Ronaldo left the national team training session and, a few days later, criticised Jesus in a statement. Ronaldo said, among other things, that he felt let down by the national team coach.
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