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Football star and sporting legend Cristiano Ronaldo announced on November 5, 2026, that he would retire from the Portugal National Team, bringing an end to his 23-year international career. He shared the news in an emotional post on his official Instagram account.
“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future,” Ronaldo says in the video, referring to his iconic number 7 jerseyJerseyA shirt worn by players on a sports team, usually printed with the team's colors, a player's name, and a number. Jerseys have become streetwear staples, and wearing one fromGo to Jersey Glossary number. “It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with heart. A journey that began in August 2003 changed my life forever, has come to an end.”
He continued: “Throughout my entire career with the National Team, I have always pushed my limits. I wanted to win; I wanted to be better. I wanted to make history. I always demand the most of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt. There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember. I made mistakes. I suffered. There were also moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.”
The news comes just one month after Ronaldo abruptly left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen, days before the team’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark. The incident sent shockwaves through the football world, with reports emerging of a rift between the football star and his former manager, Jorge Jesus. Notably, Ronaldo did not mention Jesus in his retirement video. He acknowledges these events in a lengthy post here.
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal at just 18 years old, playing in a friendly against Kazakhstan that ended in a 1-0 victory for his team. Since then, he has established himself as one of the greatest footballers in history, amassing an impressive collection of accolades, including five Ballon d’Or awards, and scoring more than 985 career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portugal National Team on November 5, 2026.
Ronaldo represented Portugal for 23 years, making his debut in August 2003 at the age of 18.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards throughout his career.
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