Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement From Portugal National Team After 20 Years
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Jeff Onuegbu
Portuguese football captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his career with the Portugal national team to an end after more than two decades.
The 41-year-old forward reportedly made the announcement in a video shared on his official Instagram account on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Ronaldo bows out as Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, having recorded 146 goals in 234 appearances for the national team.
During his illustrious international career, the Al-Nassr forward played a key role in Portugal's success at major international competitions.
He captained the national team to its first-ever European Championship title at Euro 2016, before leading the country to victory in the inaugural UEFA Nations League competition in 2019.
Ronaldo's international career spanned more than 20 years, during which he established himself as one of the most influential players in Portuguese football history.
His retirement brings an end to an era for Portugal, with the forward having represented his country across multiple generations of international football.
