CRISTIANO RONALDO has brought the curtain down on an extraordinary international career spanning 23 years, 234 appearances and 146 goals.

But beyond the astonishing world record numbers lies the story of a man who transformed the fortunes of an entire footballing nation.

When Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in August 2003, the country had never won a major international trophy.

More than two decades later, he leaves with three winners’ medals, the gratitude of a nation and perhaps one lingering regret, never lifting the World Cup.

From the boy who grew up on the small island of Madeira to becoming one of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

There have been tears, controversy, unforgettable goals and moments of sheer brilliance that helped define an entire generation.

Some have questioned whether he stayed on the international stage for too long, particularly as his influence began to fade in the twilight of his career.

But Ronaldo has never been a man willing to settle for what he has already achieved.

Even after conquering Europe and rewriting the record books, his hunger to represent his country remained as fierce as ever.

And as he finally walked away from international football, he left his beloved nation with one final message: “Portugal will always be inside me.”

As one of football’s greatest-ever players bids farewell to the international stage, SunSport looks back at seven moments that defined his remarkable Portugal career…

7. Portugal 1-0 Kazakhstan — The beginning (2003)

Every great story has a beginning, and Ronaldo’s started on August 20, 2003.

Just 18 years old and fresh from completing his move to Manchester United, the teenager was introduced at half-time in a friendly against Kazakhstan, replacing Portuguese legend Luis Figo.

His fearless running, quick feet and willingness to take on defenders offered a glimpse of the superstar he would eventually become.

Few watching that evening could have imagined the teenager would go on to become the most prolific goalscorer in men’s international football history.

6. Portugal 0-0 England (3-1 pens) — The infamous wink (2006)

It was the moment that turned Ronaldo into public enemy No1 among England supporters.

During Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final against England in Germany, Wayne Rooney was sent off following an incident involving Ricardo Carvalho.

Ronaldo, then Rooney’s Manchester United team-mate, was accused of influencing referee Horacio Elizondo’s decision after rushing towards the official.

Television cameras subsequently caught Ronaldo appearing to wink towards the Portugal bench, sparking outrage back in England.

To make matters worse for English supporters, Ronaldo stepped up to score the decisive penalty as Portugal won the shootout 3-1.

He returned to Manchester United facing hostility from opposition supporters across the country.

But rather than allowing the controversy to derail his career, Ronaldo used the criticism as motivation and went on to enjoy one of the most remarkable periods of his club career.

5. Portugal 1-0 France — The heartbreak (2016)

It was supposed to be the biggest night of Ronaldo’s international career.

Twelve years after Portugal suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 final on home soil, Ronaldo finally had another opportunity to become a European champion.

But his dream appeared to be slipping away when he suffered a knee injury following a challenge from Dimitri Payet.

Despite attempting to continue, the Portugal captain was forced off after just 25 minutes, leaving the pitch on a stretcher with tears streaming down his face.

For a player who had dedicated so much of his career to winning a major trophy for his country, it was a devastating moment.

Yet the night would eventually produce one of football’s most extraordinary stories of redemption.

4. Portugal 3-3 Spain — The masterpiece (2018)

If ever there was a performance that captured Ronaldo’s extraordinary ability to carry his country, this was it.

Facing Spain in Portugal’s opening match of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Ronaldo produced arguably his finest individual display on the international stage.

He opened the scoring from the penalty spot before adding a second goal just before half-time.

But with Portugal trailing 3-2 and time running out, Ronaldo delivered a moment of pure genius.

Standing over a free-kick in the 88th minute, he curled an unstoppable effort beyond David de Gea to complete his hat-trick and rescue a dramatic draw.

It was a performance that underlined his ability to deliver when the pressure was at its greatest.

3. Sweden 2-3 Portugal — The one-man demolition (2013)

With a place at the 2014 World Cup on the line, Ronaldo produced one of the most devastating performances of his international career.

Portugal faced Sweden in a two-legged play-off, with much of the build-up dominated by the battle between Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Having scored the only goal in the first leg, Ronaldo travelled to Stockholm knowing his country was just 90 minutes away from securing a place in Brazil.

What followed was a breathtaking display.

Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick in the second leg, repeatedly tearing through the Swedish defence with his pace, power and clinical finishing.

Ibrahimovic responded with two goals of his own, but even the Swedish superstar could do little to stop Ronaldo.

His four goals across the two matches secured Portugal’s qualification and provided another reminder of his ability to rise to the biggest occasions.

2. Hungary 3-3 Portugal — The great escape (2016)

Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 triumph might never have happened without Ronaldo’s heroics against Hungary.

Having drawn their opening two group matches, Portugal entered their final fixture knowing another disappointing result could send them home.

And with Hungary repeatedly taking the lead, Ronaldo was forced to drag his country back into the contest.

He produced a moment of brilliance with an audacious backheel to level the scores at 2-2 before heading home another equaliser to make it 3-3.

The draw was enough to send Portugal through to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams.

It was not the most glamorous performance of Ronaldo’s career, but it proved one of the most important.

Without his two goals that afternoon, Portugal’s journey to European glory could have ended before it had truly begun.

1. Portugal 1-0 France — The ultimate redemption (2016)

For all the goals, individual awards and records, this was the moment Ronaldo had been waiting for throughout his international career.

Portugal faced hosts France in the Euro 2016 final, hoping to win the first major trophy in their history.

But when Ronaldo was forced off injured after just 25 minutes, it seemed his chance of finally lifting silverware with his country had been cruelly taken away.

What followed, however, was an extraordinary display of leadership.

Unable to influence proceedings on the pitch, Ronaldo became Portugal’s most passionate supporter on the touchline.

He encouraged his team-mates, shouted ‘coaching’ instructions and celebrated every tackle as Portugal battled to keep the French at bay.

Then, in the 109th minute, substitute Eder unleashed a stunning strike from outside the penalty area to give Portugal the lead.

Ronaldo could barely contain his emotions as the final whistle confirmed Portugal’s first major international trophy.

Twelve years after leaving the pitch in tears following defeat to Greece at Euro 2004, Ronaldo was finally a European champion.

It was the crowning moment of his international career — and proof that even football’s greatest individual talents sometimes need their team-mates to deliver the ultimate prize.