Ronaldo Retires From Portugal’s National Team After 234 Appearances and 146 Goals
The record holder for appearances and goals announced he is handing back the number seven shirt. Sources differ on whether he will play in November.
Lisbon – Cristiano Ronaldo announced on November 5 that he is retiring from Portugal’s national team. The 41-year-old forward made the announcement in a video on Instagram, after a career that began in August 2003.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” he said. He added that “a journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end”. He called the decision emotional as well as rational, and said he wants to pass the shirt on to the future.
The numbers are records. Ronaldo has 234 appearances, the most in men’s football history, and was the first to reach 200. He scored 146 goals, also a record among men. He debuted in a friendly against Kazakhstan, replacing Luis Figo. By the editorial calculation, 146 goals in 234 appearances is about 0.62 goals per match, over a period of 23 years.
He named the strongest point of his national-team biography himself: “I won Euro 2016 and, for me, that is just as important as the World Cup. It will stay with me forever.” With Portugal he also won the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He has the most appearances (30) and most goals (14) at European Championships.
The retirement comes after tense months. According to two media outlets, in September Ronaldo clashed with coach Jorge Jesus after the Nations League match in which Portugal beat Wales 1-0. Ronaldo left the camp, and according to one source he was given a 30-day suspension, after which he apologised. Jesus later said he was welcome back and that the decision was his.
The Portuguese federation expressed “deep gratitude and immense admiration”, called him the greatest player of all time and announced a “fitting tribute” to his career.
What is not clear: sources differ on whether Ronaldo will play in Portugal’s November matches. One source says his last appearance was on September 24, while another says the retirement follows the November matches. At club level he continues, with 985 goals in total and chasing 1,000.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · November 8, 2026
