Cristiano Ronaldo announced this Thursday, November 5, his retirement from the Portugal National Team at the age of 41, bringing an end to an international career that began in August 2003, when he debuted at just 18 years old. The Al-Nassr forward bids farewell as the all-time leading scorer in the history of national team football, with 234 matches played and 146 goals, records that also make him the footballer with the most appearances representing a men's national team.

For over two decades, the Portuguese attacker was a protagonist in one of the most important eras in his country's history, conquering three international titles: the 2016 European Championship, where Portugal beat France 1-0 in the final; the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League, after overcoming the Netherlands 1-0; and the 2024-25 edition, in which they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. Additionally, he played in six World Cups, from Germany 2006 to North America 2026, with the fourth-place finish in 2006 being his best World Cup result.

Through a message shared on social media, Ronaldo thanked the fans, teammates, and coaches who accompanied him during this adventure, highlighting the pride it meant to wear the number 7 jersey for 23 years. His last match with Portugal was on September 24, in a 1-0 victory against Wales in the UEFA Nations League, where he played 67 minutes. With his farewell, an era ends for Portuguese football, while his legacy is marked by individual records and three championships he helped secure for his nation.