Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from international football

What the report says

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he plans to retire from international football, saying in a social media post that he will “hand back the number 7 shirt” after the November international break. Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported the announcement on Thursday and described it as the end of one of the most decorated careers in men’s international football.

Ronaldo, 41, has spent 23 years with Portugal and is the national team’s all-time leader in appearances and goals. The article says he has played 234 matches for Portugal and scored 146 goals. His career with the team included captaining Portugal to its first major title at Euro 2016, as well as wins in the 2019 and 2025 Nations Leagues.

In his message, Ronaldo said the choice was difficult and thanked his family, supporters, teammates, coaches and staff. He also said that if his goals had ever made people happy or proud of the country, then it had been worth it. The post was framed as a personal farewell to the national side, though the report did not say whether his retirement would take effect immediately or after any further appearances.

The article also noted recent tension with coach Jorge Jesus, after Ronaldo was left out of a Nations League match and left the team camp. That context may help explain the timing of the announcement, although the report did not directly link the two events.