By Joke Kujenya
ENDING A remarkable 23-year spell with Portugal that brought him record-breaking achievements, Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, closing a chapter marked by major trophies and an unresolved dispute with national team coach Jorge Jesus.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday, saying the time had come to hand back Portugal’s iconic number 7 shirt after 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country.
Ronaldo said he is leaving international football as the men’s all-time leading scorer and appearance holder, having captained Portugal to its first major international trophy at Euro 2016 before helping the country secure the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Describing his decision as deeply personal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged the emotional difficulty of ending his international journey.
“It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart,” he said in a social media announcement.
He thanked his family, the Portuguese people, teammates, coaches and staff who accompanied him throughout his international career.
“If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it,” he added.
“Portugal will always be a part of me,” Ronaldo wrote alongside his retirement announcement video.
His departure closes a chapter defined by extraordinary individual records. Ronaldo became the first footballer to score at six different editions of the World Cup, beginning with the 2006 tournament. He also shared the distinction of appearing at six World Cups with Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
The 2026 World Cup proved his final international tournament. Portugal’s campaign ended in the last 16 following a 1-0 defeat to eventual champions Spain, leaving Ronaldo without the one major international trophy missing from his collection.
However, his relationship with the national team had become strained following a disagreement with Jesus over his involvement in Portugal’s Nations League fixtures.
Ronaldo previously accused the coach of breaking his word twice, claiming they had agreed that he would miss the matches against Norway and Denmark to manage his fitness.
According to the forward, Jesus subsequently told him he would feature for 30 minutes against Norway. Ronaldo said he warmed up from half-time but never entered the match.
“The manager had broken his word to me,” he said.
Ronaldo also alleged that a subsequent meeting involving Jesus and Al Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho produced an agreement for the coach to explain the circumstances publicly.
He said an eight-point document was prepared to clarify that he had never demanded playing time, had respected the coach’s decisions and that asking him to warm up without eventually introducing him had been a mistake.
However, Ronaldo claimed Jesus’ subsequent public comments differed from their private agreement.
“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” he said, explaining that he decided to leave the training camp rather than wait for another disagreement.
Jesus denied making any agreement with Ronaldo but indicated that the forward could return to the national team.
Ronaldo later apologised for failing to greet supporters after the Norway match and leaving his teammates, acknowledging that his position as captain made his actions more serious.
He also accepted that the Portuguese Football Federation should assess his conduct and determine the appropriate punishment.
Following his apology, the federation suspended him for 30 days and imposed a €255 fine.
Despite the fallout, Ronaldo insisted that he had not ruled out continuing his international career at the time, declaring his willingness to return once physically fit and after serving any punishment.
The retirement announcement has since drawn tributes from across Portugal’s football community.
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed profound gratitude for his contribution, describing him as more than an exceptional athlete.
“More than an exceptional athlete, our captain was an inspiring leader, an example of dedication and the ultimate symbol of the soul of our National Team,” the federation said.
Jesus also acknowledged Ronaldo’s importance, revealing that they had discussed his international future earlier in the year.
“I asked him to stay, to stay with me because I needed him to be by my side, but I have to accept his decision. He is a world reference, a reference for Portugal, a reference for the national team,” Jesus told Canal 11.
Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes described Ronaldo as an inspiration, recalling the privilege of playing alongside his childhood idol.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also praised the forward, saying his achievements for the country would echo through eternity.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, reflected on what representing Portugal had meant to him, describing the honour of playing for his country as his greatest achievement.
“I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today I realise that my greatest victory was having deserved the honour of representing the best country in the world,” he said.
—
Share Your Story with us!
Advertise with us!
Publicity for a product, service, or event!
Contact: WhatsApp Only: +2348039560647
Email: jkmediapress@gmail.com
