Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football after 23 years with the national team.

The 41-year-old forward announced the decision in an emotional message shared on his Instagram account on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

“The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world”, Ronaldo said.

He added, “Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart.”

Ronaldo, who made his senior international debut in August 2003, said his journey with Portugal had come to an end, reflecting on the people and experiences that shaped his time with the team.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he had consistently pushed himself to achieve more while representing his country, despite the disappointments and setbacks along the way.

He also acknowledged the defeats and occasions when he felt he had not met the expectations of Portuguese supporters.

Ronaldo leaves the national team as the highest-scoring player in men’s international football, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, according to UEFA figures updated in October 2026.

Beyond international football, Ronaldo established himself as one of the most decorated players in the sport. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards and five UEFA Champions League titles, while playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, among others.

He also won league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and became Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer during his nine-year spell at the Spanish club.