Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from the international game with Portugal.

The 41-year-old Portugal legend announced the retirement on Instagram and other social media platforms.

“To the Portuguese people the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said.

He has played for the Portugal national time for 23 years, scoring 146 goals in 234 appearances.

Ronaldo’s crowning moment for Portugal was winning the 2016 European Championships, the only major trophy in their history. They’ve added two UEFA Nations League trophies since then.

Why would Cristiano Ronaldo retire from Portugal now?

Ronaldo plays his club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia but this moment with Portugal has been coming.

After a difficult 2026 World Cup tournament, much was made of Ronaldo still starting up front for Portugal.

And in the last few months new Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has been involved in a power struggle with Ronaldo, which ended with the latter leaving their squad during the most recent international break and being suspended by the team.

But with the 2030 World Cup coming up on home soil, it seemed likely that Ronaldo would try and hold on for a few more years to reach that milestone. Alas, after appearing at six World Cups he will not play a role in a seventh as Portugal’s hugely talented side chase World Cup glory.

The Portuguese Football Federation have announced a special tribute will be made to honor Cristiano Ronaldo and his contribution to the national team after over two decades of service.