# Cristiano Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years

> Cristiano Ronaldo has shocked the football world by announcing his retirement from international football after 23 years, leaving as his country's record scorer.

- Publisher: Briefzora (https://briefzora.com)
- URL: https://briefzora.com/cristiano-ronaldo-retires-from-international-football-after-23-years
- Published: 2026-11-05T17:09:12+05:00
- Author: Briefzora Desk (https://briefzora.com/author/briefzora-desk)
- Section: Football
- Topics: UEFA Nations League
- Image: https://briefzora.com/uploads/2026/11/piers-morgan-pays-gushing-tribute-to-goat-cristiano-ronaldo-as-footb-xrmesr.webp

## Key points

- Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football after a 23-year career.
- He scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for his country.
- His retirement follows a recent public fallout with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.
- He plans to continue playing club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

## Why it matters

The retirement marks the end of an era for Portuguese football, leaving the national team to transition into a new phase without their historic captain and all-time top scorer.

## Article

## Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Shock International Retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo has stunned the football world by announcing his retirement from international football after 23 years, bringing an end to one of the most prolific careers in the history of the sport. The 41-year-old forward confirmed his departure in an emotional video message, stating that the time had arrived to hand over his famous number 7 shirt to the next generation.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star departs the international stage with a record 146 goals across 234 appearances for his country. Broadcaster Piers Morgan joined numerous figures in paying tribute to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner following the unexpected announcement.

## Tributes and Legacy of the Portugal Legend

Piers Morgan praised the veteran forward as the greatest of all time after the emotional farewell message was released. The broadcaster has long championed the player, having previously interviewed him during his departure from Manchester United in 2022.

The journey began in August 2003 when an 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo made his senior international debut against Kazakhstan. His defining moment arrived in 2016 when he captained Portugal to their first major international title at the European Championship in France. He subsequently helped his nation lift the inaugural Nations League trophy in 2019 and added another triumph in 2025.

## Controversy Preceding the Departure

The international career concluded following a public disagreement with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. The veteran striker left the national team training camp in Copenhagen during September after remaining on the bench during a Nations League victory over Norway.

Cristiano Ronaldo later accused Jorge Jesus of breaking promises regarding playing time before apologising to team-mates and supporters. The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently imposed a 30-day suspension that would have permitted him to return for upcoming fixtures, but the forward opted to step away permanently.

## The Portuguese Federation Response and Future Plans

The Portuguese Football Federation expressed deep gratitude and stated an immense desire to organise a proper tribute for the national team icon. Officials praised the player for inspiring generations of young footballers and elevating the country's global profile.

Supporters may still watch the forward on the pitch as he continues playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The striker sits at 985 official career goals, closing in on the landmark milestone of 1,000 career goals before potentially finishing his professional playing days entirely.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many international goals did Cristiano Ronaldo score?

Cristiano Ronaldo scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal.

### Why did Cristiano Ronaldo retire from international football?

The retirement follows a public fallout with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus over playing time and a subsequent team suspension.


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