Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from international football
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his remarkable career with the Portugal national team.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday, 5 November 2026, through a video message shared on social media. He is expected to hand back Portugal’s famous number 7 shirt after the November international break.
Ronaldo leaves the national team as its all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances. He also holds the record for the most international goals and appearances in men’s football.
During his international career, which began in 2003, Ronaldo captained Portugal to its first major international trophy at the 2016 UEFA European Championship. He also helped the country win the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
His retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era for Portuguese football, with Ronaldo having represented his country for more than two decades and established himself as one of the most successful players in international football history.
In his farewell message, Ronaldo expressed his lasting connection to his country, saying: “Portugal will always be in me.”
About the Author
Karrel Hamutenya is a senior sports journalist at The Updated World, with more than five years of experience reporting on local sport in Namibia and international sports news.His work covers match reports, transfer updates, and exclusive interviews with athletes, providing fans with deeper insight into the game and the people behind it.
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