The 41-year-old ahead made the announcement earlier, Thursday, via a five-minute video shared throughout his social media platforms, confirming that he would not signify his nation.
Ronaldo leaves worldwide soccer with a rare file of 234 appearances and 146 targets, making him the most-capped participant and highest purpose scorer in males’s worldwide soccer historical past.
During his illustrious spell with Portugal, the previous Real Madrid and Manchester United ahead gained three main worldwide trophies, cementing his place among the many biggest footballers ever to signify their international locations.
Following the announcement, followers the world over flooded his social media accounts with emotional messages, celebrating his achievements and the recollections he created all through his worldwide profession.
Several distinguished figures in soccer additionally joined the tributes, together with Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, who reacted to his Instagram put up by writing, “It was a movie bro.”
Real Madrid ahead Vinicius Junior, who at present wears the long-lasting No. 7 shirt beforehand made well-known by Ronaldo on the Spanish membership, additionally paid tribute to the Portuguese legend; he wrote, “Forever number 1.”
Manchester United, the place Ronaldo loved two spells throughout his membership profession, additionally acknowledged the ahead’s outstanding contributions to Portuguese soccer and congratulated him on his worldwide achievements.
Portugal teammate Diogo Dalot expressed his appreciation for the affect Ronaldo had on the nationwide group, writing, “You made us dream, you made us consider, and also you made us WIN! Thank you, idol.”
Another Portugal teammate, Bruno Fernandes, described sharing the national team dressing room with Ronaldo as a special privilege, recalling how he grew up admiring the legendary forward.
“Thank you for the inspiration. It was a privilege to have the option to share nice moments for our choice with my childhood idol.”
Sporting CP, the club where Ronaldo began his professional football journey before moving to Manchester United, also recognised his contributions to the Portuguese national team, the club said.
“Thank you for every little thing you probably did for our nation. Forever in Portugal’s historical past.”
Ronaldo’s retirement brings the curtain down on one of the crucial profitable worldwide careers in soccer historical past. He made his Portugal debut in 2003 and went on to develop into the face of the nationwide group for greater than twenty years.
His ultimate look for Portugal got here in a 1-0 victory over Wales within the UEFA Nations League, whereas his final worldwide purpose was scored towards Croatia on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His worldwide journey had additionally skilled troublesome moments, together with disciplinary motion after he reportedly left Portugal’s coaching camp forward of a match towards Denmark, leading to a suspension.
Before saying his retirement, Ronaldo had issued an announcement indicating his willingness to proceed taking part in for Portugal underneath head coach Jorge Jesus. However, he has now reversed that place, formally bringing his worldwide profession to an finish.
Despite his departure from the nationwide group, Ronaldo’s achievements, information and affect will stay an essential a part of Portugal’s soccer historical past.
