On November 5, Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football. The 41-year-old called it a day ahead of Portugal's next game vs Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on November 14. This meant he last played for the national team on September 24 in the same tournament vs Wales.

No Grand Farewell

Ronaldo's journey ended after 23 years. It began when he was 18 in 2003. In the wake of his fallout with coach Jorge Jesus and the walkout from the national camp that resulted in a one-month ban and fine, this was how he went off into the sunset. No grand farewell, no retirement match, and no huge exit. Just quietly fading into oblivion.

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Cristiano Ronaldo's International World Records

Having represented his nation for over two decades, CR7 finished with quite a few world records. He operated at such a level that many of them may never be broken, or at least not anytime soon. Two of them are shared with none other than the one player he has always been compared to, and that's Lionel Messi.

The World Records That May Never Be Broken

So, what are the international world records that Ronaldo holds which may never be broken? 

Let's take a look and find out! Here we go:

1. Most Goals

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Ronaldo has 146 goals for Portugal. That's the most in men's football at an international level. Romelu Lukaku is the closest among active players with 94 goals to his name. But he's already 33 and the odds of scoring another 53 to surpass Ronaldo may be a bit too much to ask.

2. Most Games

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With 234 appearances, Ronaldo sits pretty on top of the list. Among active footballers, Luka Modric is the closest with 206. But he's already 41 and is not expected to play for too long. For him to play another 29 games is going to take a long time and even if he does somehow make it, it will take time. However, the odds are not in his favour,

3. Most FIFA World Cup Editions with Goals

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Ronaldo is the only player to have scored in six World Cup editions. No active player has done so in more than three editions, and the likes of Harry Kane along with Kylian Mbappe have to play another four editions and score in every one of them to surpass him. Time is not on their side.

4. Most Countries Scored Against

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As many has 49 nations have been at the receiving end of Ronaldo's goals. No player has scored against more. Messi has done it with 41 countries and both of them are now retired. For an active player to even come close will take something special.

5. Joint Most FIFA World Cup Editions Played

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Ronaldo has played six World Cups from 2006 to 2026. He shares this record with Lionel Messi. Lukaku has played four but at 33, playing two more, let alone three is a big ask. Kane may play one more while Mbappe might play another two. But for either of them to push to three or four will be really hoping for too much.

6. Joint Most Goals Scored Against One Country

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Ronaldo has scored 11 goals vs Luxembourg. Messi has the same number vs Bolivia. No other player has scored more goals against a single country. No active player is breaking this anytime soon. This record will be safe for quite a long while.