Cristiano Ronaldo: 'Estou na seleção para ajudar pelo que faço, não pelo currículo'

Cristiano Ronaldo is bringing one of the most extraordinary international careers in football history to an end. At the age of 41, the Al Nassr forward has announced that he will leave the Portuguese national team after the November international window. His departure will mark the end of 23 years representing his country, during which he has made 234 appearances and scored 147 goals, two figures that place him at the top of the all-time rankings in men's international football.

The No. 7 made his Portugal debut on 20 August 2003, in a friendly against Kazakhstan. Since then, he has featured in six World Cups and six European Championships, becoming the defining figure of the most successful era in the Portuguese national team's history. His legacy is also measured in trophies: Euro 2016 and the Nations League titles of 2019 and 2025, the three major trophies won by Portugal.

His first major triumph came in France in 2016, when Portugal lifted the first European Championship title in their history after defeating the hosts in the final. Three years later, Cristiano celebrated another international trophy by winning the inaugural Nations League, a competition he also conquered in 2025 after beating Spain on penalties.

But if there is one thing that sets the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player's career apart, it is his ability to remain at the highest level for more than two decades. Cristiano leaves as the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football, ahead of Leo Messi, and also as the most-capped male international player. He has also scored for Portugal in 23 consecutive calendar years, from 2004 to 2026, a remarkable display of longevity with virtually no precedent.

His impact on major international tournaments is equally unforgettable. At the European Championship, he holds the records for the most appearances, goals and editions played. At the World Cup, he became the first footballer to score in six different editions in 2026 and surpassed Eusébio as Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer in the competition.

Without a World Cup title to his name, Cristiano brings his international career to a close with a collection of records that will be extremely difficult to match. These are his main records and achievements for Portugal, with his final international appearances still potentially to come:

Portugal national team and international records

• Most appearances in the history of men's international football: 234.

• All-time leading goalscorer in men's international football: 147 goals.

• Most appearances for Portugal: 234.

• Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer: 147 goals.

• First male footballer to reach 200 international appearances, in June 2023.

• Most consecutive calendar years scoring for a national team: 23, from 2004 to 2026.

• First male footballer to score 10 international hat-tricks.

• One of only three male footballers to score more than 100 international goals, alongside Leo Messi and Ali Daei.

• All-time leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying: 41 goals.

European Championships

• Most editions played: 6 (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024).

• Most appearances at European Championship final tournaments: 30.

• All-time leading goalscorer at European Championship final tournaments: 14 goals.

• Most appearances in European Championship final tournaments and qualifiers combined: 74.

• All-time leading goalscorer including European Championship qualifying: 55 goals.

• Most different editions of the European Championship scored in: 5 (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020).

• Only footballer to score at least three goals in three different European Championships: 2012, 2016 and 2020.

World Cups

• Most editions played: 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026). Record shared with Leo Messi.

• First footballer in history to score in six different World Cups.

• Second-most appearances at World Cup final tournaments: 27.

• Portugal's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer: 11 goals, ahead of Eusébio (9).

• Second-oldest footballer to score at a World Cup, aged 41, behind only Roger Milla.

• All-time leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying: 41 goals.

World Cups and European Championships combined

• Most appearances across World Cup and European Championship final tournaments: 57.

• All-time leading goalscorer across both competitions: 25 goals (14 at European Championships and 11 at World Cups).