Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football after 23-year career

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 23-year career with Portugal. The 41-year-old forward confirmed the decision on Thursday, November 5, in a video statement posted to Instagram, marking the conclusion of an era that began in 2003. He stated that he would relinquish the No. 7 shirt following the November international break.

The retirement comes just one day before Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus is scheduled to announce the squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales. Ronaldo's departure arrives in the wake of a publicized fallout with Jesus, who had managed him previously at Al Nassr. During the October 4 Nations League fixture against Norway — a 2-1 victory for Portugal — Ronaldo was benched, marking the first time in 18 years he had been an unused substitute for his national team. Following the match, Ronaldo walked out of the training camp and subsequently accused the coach of breaching agreements regarding his playing time. The Portuguese Football Federation issued a 30-day suspension over the incident, a penalty Ronaldo has now served.

A Career of Unprecedented Milestones

Ronaldo leaves the international game as the most prolific goalscorer and most-capped player in the history of men’s international football, holding records of 146 goals and 234 appearances. His career was defined by his role as the face of Portuguese football, leading the nation to its maiden European Championship title in 2016 and Nations League victories in 2019 and 2025.

Today I finish my walk on the pitch with the national team. I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took. The goals pass, the cups are in museums, the records end up being beaten. But there is something that time can never erase, the place we occupy in people’s hearts. The greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo, via Instagram

While he participated in a record six separate World Cups, the trophy remained elusive. His international tenure concluded following a round-of-16 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup. With his rival Lionel Messi also stepping away from international football in recent weeks, the departure of both players signals the end of a long-standing competitive era in global sport.

Financial Independence and Future Outlook

Ronaldo’s retirement from the national stage will not affect his professional playing status. He remains under contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr until June 2027. His financial profile remains robust; Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.2 billion, while Bloomberg places it at $1.4 billion. He is the first footballer in history to reach billionaire status while still active, a milestone he confirmed in a November 2025 interview.

The financial impact of leaving the national team is negligible for a player earning more than $200 million annually at Al Nassr, a salary that nets him over $550,000 per day. While national team appearances provided a global platform for his endorsements, his commercial reach is underpinned by a lifetime Nike contract and the CR7 business empire, which includes investments in hotels, hair clinics, and football club ownership such as his stake in UD Almeria.

Ronaldo has previously indicated that the 2026-27 season is likely his final year of professional football. For now, the focus shifts to the Portuguese Football Federation, which must transition to a post-Ronaldo era. As the captain’s armband is vacated and the primary source of recent internal tension removed, the federation looks to stabilize the squad ahead of its upcoming international fixtures.