The record scorer and most capped men’s player ends 23 years with Portugal weeks after a camp walkout, a suspension and a public dispute with coach Jorge Jesus.
Tamrah News Desk | November 5, 2026
Ronaldo retires from international football after 23 years with the Portugal national team, according to ESPN, which reported the announcement on Thursday. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, confirmed the decision in an Instagram video and said
“the day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt”
Yahoo Sports reported. The decision follows a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus during the Nations League and a suspension of 30 days from the Portuguese Football Federation.
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Ronaldo Retires From International Football: What He Said in the Video
Cristiano Ronaldo closed his message with the line
“Portugal will always be in me”
according to Portugal Resident. ESPN reported that he also said he never felt the number seven shirt belonged only to him. Morocco World News reported that he recalled a childhood in Madeira, where his dream of playing for his country began. GB News reported that the post gathered more than 17 million likes in just over four hours.
Cristiano Ronaldo Retirement Closes a Record Setting Career
The Cristiano Ronaldo retirement ends a career that began in August 2003. ESPN reported that he finishes with 146 goals in 234 appearances, both records for men’s international football. Sky Sports reported that he won Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles and played at six World Cups and six European Championships. AP reported, in a version carried by La Nacion, that he was the first man to score at six World Cups and scored for the Portugal national team in 23 consecutive calendar years.
How the Dispute With Jorge Jesus Unfolded
AFP reported, in a version carried by the New Straits Times, that Ronaldo warmed up as a substitute against Norway on September 27 but did not play, then learned he would not start against Denmark on October 1. He left the Portugal national team camp in Copenhagen on September 30. ESPN reported that Portugal won in Oslo by 2 to 1 and that Ronaldo went straight to the dressing room instead of applauding fans with his teammates.
Bernama, citing Anadolu, reported that Ronaldo later released a statement of more than 1,700 words accusing Jesus of breaking promises about playing time, while apologising for leaving without permission. ProPakistani reported that Jesus denied making any agreement.
On October 19 the Portuguese Football Federation suspended Ronaldo for 30 days and fined him 255 euros, AFP reported. AP reported that the suspension counted from October 1, which cleared him for the Nations League match against Denmark on November 14.
How Portugal and Jorge Jesus Responded
ESPN reported that the Portuguese Football Federation thanked Ronaldo and promised a fitting tribute at a later date. AP, in a version carried by La Nacion, reported that the federation said many of its own people consider him
“the greatest player of all time.”
Jesus told Canal 11 that he had asked Ronaldo to stay and must accept the decision, Yahoo Sports reported. GB News quoted him calling Ronaldo “a global icon.” Sky Sports reported that Ronaldo had drafted a retirement statement after the World Cup but was talked out of it by federation president Pedro Proença on the flight home from North America. Sportskeeda, citing A Bola, reported that Ronaldo told Proença about his latest decision but not Jesus.
Will Ronaldo Play a Farewell Match for Portugal?
Gulf News reported that no farewell match has been confirmed, noting that Ronaldo wrote that his journey on the pitch with the national team has ended. Sportskeeda, citing O Jogo, reported that the Portuguese Football Federation has set no date, venue or opponent for its planned tribute. Portugal host Denmark on November 14 and visit Wales on November 17 in their last Nations League Group A4 fixtures, AFP reported. TNND reported that AP described the retirement as effective immediately.
What Happens Next for Ronaldo and Portugal
WCPO reported that Cristiano Ronaldo will keep playing club football for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. AP reported that Portugal qualified for the Nations League quarterfinals without him. ESPN noted that the announcement comes less than a month after Messi’s final game for Argentina. Jorge Jesus, who asked Ronaldo to stay, still coaches the Portugal national team.
Conclusion
Ronaldo retires from international football after 234 caps and 146 goals, and the Cristiano Ronaldo retirement ends 23 years with the Portugal national team. Readers searching for a Ronaldo farewell match, the Ronaldo 146 goals record, Jorge Jesus reaction or Nations League updates will find confirmed developments on Tamrah News.
