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Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football
Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football after 23 years of play for the country.
The 41-year old made the announcement on Thursday, having recorded 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal.
In a lengthy video posted on Instagram, Ronaldo said: “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.
“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 Portuguese captain had served a 30-day suspension imposed by his country’s football federation, after walking out on the national team in an international tournament.
Ronaldo had fallen out with Portugal’s new manager Jorge Jesus over playing time. He later apologised to his teammates for walking out, while also expressing his desire to continue playing for the national team.
The Al-Nassr forward who is a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient captained his country to lift the Euro 2016 cup, while also competing in his sixth World Cup in 2026.
“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever is coming to an end.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Appreciating his teammates and coaches, he noted: “No captain walks alone and you’re all part of my story.
“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.”
