Former Portugal international Luis Nani has paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo following the forward’s announcement that he will retire from international football after Portugal’s November fixtures.

In a message shared on his X account on Thursday, November 5, Nani described his former teammate as the “best of all time” and thanked him for his contribution to Portuguese football.

According to Punch, the former Manchester United winger said Ronaldo inspired an entire generation of Portuguese players and gave them the confidence to believe they could become the best in the world.

“You inspired us all and made us believe that, as Portuguese, we could be the best in the world. You made us feel proud of ourselves, as a people and as a national team,” Nani wrote.

He also praised Ronaldo for the influence he had beyond his performances on the pitch, describing him as a role model for players who followed his career.

“To me, you’re the best of all time, not just for the player you were and for everything you gave to our national team, but also for what you represented to all of us,” he added.

Nani acknowledged that they had disagreements during their time together but said their shared experiences helped them grow. He also thanked Ronaldo for his dedication to Portugal, saying his contributions would not be forgotten.

Ronaldo announced his decision to end his international career on Thursday, bringing an end to a journey that began in August 2003.

According to FIFA, the 41-year-old leaves the national team with 234 appearances and 146 goals, both world records in men's international football.

During his 23 years with Portugal, Ronaldo captained the country to victory at the 2016 European Championship and helped secure UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

His retirement announcement marks the end of one of the most successful international careers in football history, although he is expected to continue playing at club level for Al-Nassr.