Cristiano Ronaldo announces Portugal retirement after 23 years of international football
The 41-year-old forward leaves Portugal with 234 caps and 146 goals, announcing his retirement after controversy over a training camp walkout and a national team suspension.
By Hushread Stories, from 10 outlets · First published 5 Nov 2026
In brief
- Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on November 5, ending his Portugal career.
- The 41 year old forward leaves with 234 appearances and 146 goals, both described as world records.
- His announcement followed controversy over leaving Portugal's training camp in Denmark and a national team suspension.
- Ronaldo announced his decision through social media, saying it was time to hand back the number seven shirt.
- The retirement comes before the November international break, ending a Portugal career that began in 2003.
Timeline · 1 moments
Ronaldo announces retirement from international football with Portugal
Sky News ↗How it started
Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Portugal follows controversy over his exit from the national team's training camp in Denmark, according to RT en Español. India Today also linked the retirement announcement to the camp walkout.
Guardian Sport reported that Ronaldo had been suspended by the national team. The supplied coverage does not explain the terms of that suspension or establish exactly when it happened relative to the walkout.
How it unfolded
On November 5, Ronaldo announced that he was retiring from international football, Sky News reported. The decision ends a Portugal career spanning 23 years.
He delivered the announcement in a video published on social media, according to Cumhuriyet. ABC described the video as emotional and reported that he confirmed his definitive retirement from Portugal's senior national team.
Ronaldo said he would "hand back the No 7 shirt", according to Guardian Sport. Times now reported that the announcement came ahead of the November international break.
Where it stands
Ronaldo finishes with 234 appearances and 146 goals for Portugal. Both are world records, according to the BBC, which reported that the 41-year-old forward made his international debut in 2003.
The announcement concerns his international career. The supplied reports do not announce a retirement from club football, identify a successor for his shirt or explain how Portugal will adjust its squad.
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