Lisbon, November 5 (TNA) Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, announced on Thursday that he is retiring from international football. His 23-year career with the national team ended on a sour note after a falling-out with coach Jorge Jesus.
The announcement came in an Instagram post on Thursday. It took the form of an emotional five-minute video, in which Ronaldo claimed Jesus had broken his word about the player’s role in the team.
The 41-year-old leaves with 234 caps and 146 goals, records that no other men’s international player has matched. His Portugal career began more than two decades ago, ahead of Euro 2004. He led Portugal to three trophies: Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
The split followed a clash last month. Jesus left Ronaldo out of a Nations League match, and the forward responded by leaving the team camp. The breach was never repaired. Ronaldo’s international future had been the subject of speculation for months.
At the World Cup this summer, he told reporters he would retire “when I want to, not when you want me to.” Portugal’s World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
At the World Cup this summer, he told reporters he would retire “when I want to, not when you want me to.” Portugal’s World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
The Portuguese Football Federation now faces life without its captain and most recognisable figure, a loss with commercial as well as sporting consequences. Neither the federation nor Jesus had responded publicly at the time of writing.