Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty

ByMike Peter BBC Sport journalist. 5 November 2026, 10: 43 GMT.

Key points

• Portugal captain since 2008, he won the inaugural Nations League in 2019 and in 2025.
• The 41-year-old forward has scored 146 goals and won 234 caps for his country – both world records – since making his debut in 2003.
• Portugal were runners-up in 2004 and champions in 2016, but did not progress beyond the semi-finals of the World Cup during his career.
• Ronaldo's great rival and Argentina legend Lionel Messi retired from international football on an emotional night in front of an 85, 000-strong crowd in Buenos Aires in October.
• When Portugal lost to eventual champions Spain in the last 16, ronaldo began every match in his sixth World Cup this summer.

ByMike Peter BBC Sport journalist. 5 November 2026, 10: 43 GMT. Updated 34 minutes ago. Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo notes he is retiring from international football.

Notably, the 41-year-old forward has scored 146 goals and won 234 caps for his country – both world records – since making his debut in 2003.

He walked out of the Portugal camp in September after being informed he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark, resulting in a £215 fine and a 30-day suspension.

"To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team, " Ronaldo remarked in an Instagram video., external.

I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all worldwide.

Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. As some decisions are not created with the mind alone – they are additionally created with the heart, it was not an straightforward decision.

"A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end."

On Friday Portugal will announce their squad for this month's Nations League fixtures – against Denmark at home and Wales away.

Notably, the PFF remarked it will not "let this farewell take place without due tribute".

Notably, a statement read: "It is our firm and immense desire to organise, plan, participate and actively collaborate in what will always be a fitting tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo's immense career, in which fans and the country can applaud and celebrate, once again, the player who has given us so much."

Ronaldo played in six European Championships. Portugal were runners-up in 2004 and champions in 2016, but did not progress beyond the semi-finals of the World Cup during his career.

Ronaldo's great rival and Argentina legend Lionel Messi retired from international football on an emotional night in front of an 85, 000-strong crowd in Buenos Aires in October. Why did Ronaldo fall out with Portugal coach?

His peformances in the tournament drew criticism in the media, with plenty of observers questioning if he remained a force at international level.

He fell out with new coach Jorge Jesus after being named as a substitute against Norway.

Ronaldo was reportedly angry at being created to warm up in the second half but not brought on – the first time he was an unused substitute in a competitive Portugal game since 2008.

When Jesus remarked Ronaldo would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo left the camp and issued a lengthy statement in which he stated he would not be retiring and that Jesus had twice "broke his word".

While the PFF fined Ronaldo and suspended him for 30 days – a period that did not include any Portugal games, jesus remarked the door remained open for a return.

Ronaldo did not reference the falling-out in his farewell video, but acknowledged that he had created mistakes.

"There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember. I created mistakes; I suffered, " he stated.

There were additionally moments when I couldn't provide the Portuguese individuals what they so desperately wanted. But I never offered up. And above all I never halted feeling proud to represent Portugal.

"I spent my life working to become the best player in the world. Today I realise my greatest victory was earning the honour of representing the best country in the world." Ronaldo's most iconic moments as he retires from international football. Listen to Sporting Giants Podcast four-part series on BBC Sounds.

Taken together, the developments around ronaldo retires from Portugal duty point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.