Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his 23-year career with the national team.
The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday, November 5, 2026, through a video message shared on his social media accounts.
His decision came amid a strained relationship with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus following disagreements over his playing time and the handling of his omission from the starting line-up.
Ronaldo had earlier accused Jesus of breaking his word after the coach reportedly failed to honour an agreement concerning his involvement in Portugal’s Nations League matches.
However, Ronaldo clarified that his disagreement with the coach was not simply about being left out of the team but also about what he described as a breach of trust.
In his retirement message, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star thanked his teammates, coaches, family and Portuguese supporters for their support throughout his international career.
Ronaldo retires with a record 234 appearances and 146 goals for Portugal, making him the country’s highest-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer.
He also won the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Despite retiring from international football, Ronaldo is expected to continue his club career with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Editorial note: The claim that Ronaldo retired after demanding a public apology from Jorge Jesus is misleading. Reports indicate that their disagreement involved broken promises and comments made publicly, rather than a confirmed demand for an apology.