Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on 5 November 2026. The 41-year-old forward, who currently plays for Al-Nassr FC, confirmed the decision to step away from the national team after a career spanning more than two decades.
"لقد حان اليوم الذي أعيد فيه قميص منتخبنا الوطني رقم 7، لم أشعر يوما بأنه ملك لي وحدي، لكنني حظيت على مدى 23 عاما بشرف ومسؤولية ارتدائه والدفاع عنه وحمله معي إلى الملاعب في مختلف أنحاء العالم," Ronaldo stated. He added: "حان الوقت اليوم لتسليمه إلى المستقبل، لم يكن قرارا سهلا، فبعض القرارات لا يتخذها العقل وحده، بل القلب أيضا، الرحلة التي بدأت في أوت 2003 وغيرت حياتي إلى الأبد وصلت إلى نهايتها، عندما أستعيد ذكرياتي مع المنتخب، لا أرى المباريات والأهداف والأرقام القياسية والبطولات فحسب، بل أرى الناس أيضا."
A Historic International Career
Cristiano Ronaldo maintained a professional involvement with the Portugal national team for 23 years. His tenure commenced in August 2003 and concluded upon his retirement announcement on 5 November 2026.
Official records confirm that the forward appeared in 234 international matches throughout this period. During these appearances, he recorded 146 goals and provided 46 assists for his teammates.
Participation in major tournaments remained a consistent feature of his tenure. Ronaldo represented Portugal in 6 editions of the FIFA World Cup. These appearances spanned over two decades of competition on the global stage.
Trophies and Personal Accolades
Cristiano Ronaldo secured three major international titles during his tenure with the Portugal national team. He led the squad to victory at UEFA Euro 2016, followed by success in the UEFA Nations League in 2019. The forward later added a second UEFA Nations League title to his career achievements in 2025.
Individual recognition also marked the final weeks of his international career. At the end of October 2026, Ronaldo received the title of 'Greatest Golden Ball Winner in History'. This distinction followed his long-standing record of performance in global competitions.
Future Goals and Club Status
Cristiano Ronaldo remains under contract with Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia. His current agreement with the club is set to continue until June 2027.
Regarding his professional career statistics, the forward has recorded a total of 985 goals. He stated his intention to reach the milestone of 1,000 career goals before his eventual retirement from all forms of professional football.
