EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday his retirement from international football after 23 years of` representing Portugal at the highest level, following a fall-out with coach Jorge Jesus.Ronaldo, 41, is the leading men's international scorer with 146 goals in 234 games."To the Portuguese people, the day has come to hand back the number seven shirt of the national team that belongs to us all. I never felt it was exclusively mine," Ronaldo said in a lengthy video posted on Instagram."But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and taking it with me to stadiums all over the world. Today the time has come to hand it over to the future."It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made solely with the head; they are also made with the heart."The announcement comes one day before Portugal coach Jorge Jesus names the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Denmark and Wales.Ronaldo's decision comes just after the Portugal captain served a 30-day suspension that was handed down by his country's football federation. The Al Nassr forward was punished for walking out of the national team in the previous international window. Ronaldo had taken the action after a fallout with new manager Jorge Jesus over playing time.He played last game for Portugal on Sept. 24, a 1-0 win over Wales in a Nations League game in Lisbon. Ronaldo was an unused sub for the first time in 18 years for Portugal in a 2-1 win at Norway on Oct. 4.Ronaldo apologised to his teammates for walking out and expressed his desire to continue playing for the national team. He did not, however, apologise to Jorge Jesus, his former Al Nassr coach, whom he accused of breaking promises over his playing time.Ronaldo has enjoyed many achievements with his national team. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner captained Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, and to the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy three years later and again in 2025. He competed in his sixth World Cup this summer, a title that is missing from his impressive CV."A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever is coming to an end," he said. "When I look back and think of everything I've experienced with the national team, I don't just see matches, goals, records or trophies. I see people. I see immigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt Portugal was a little bit closer."I see millions of Portuguese people whom I've never met in person, but who have been part of my life. Because, at the end of the day, football is so much more than just a game. Football is about the people. Throughout my entire career with the national team, I've strived to push my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history.- Cristiano Ronaldo's eldest son earns first Portugal U17 call-up- Who has the most Champions League goals, assists all time?- Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals"I've always been hard on myself. I've always wanted more; I've always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt. There were perfect afternoons and evenings; there were victories I'll never forget. There were defeats that I still find hard to recall today. I also failed, I also suffered, and there were moments when I wasn't able to give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal."Over the years, I've learnt some very simple things. Goals come and go, trophies end up in museums, and records are eventually broken. But there is one thing that time can never erase: the place we hold in people's hearts. If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget your worries, and feel nothing but pride in our country, then it was all worth it. Because that's what being Portuguese is all about. We suffer together, we rise together."Ronaldo thanked his teammates and coaches, stating: "No captain walks alone and you're all part of my story."He added: "Portugal will always need young people who dream, players who never give up, new generations who believe it's possible to reach places no one has reached before. Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself."Ronaldo retires less than one month after long-time rival Lionel Messi played his last game for Argentina.
