After 234 caps, 146 goals and three trophies: Cristiano Ronaldo's record-breaking Portugal career comes to an end
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he will retire from international football, closing one of the longest and most successful careers in the history of the Portugal national team.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner confirmed his decision in a video message shared on social media on Thursday, November 5, 2026. He said it was time to hand over Portugal's iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo's international career began in August 2003, when he made his debut against Kazakhstan at the age of 18. Over the next 23 years, he became Portugal's most-capped player and its leading goalscorer.
According to Reuters, Ronaldo will bring his international career to a close after the November international break. His last appearance for Portugal was against Wales on September 24, when the team secured a 1-0 victory.
Ronaldo's international career in numbers
Category | Record |
|---|---|
International appearances | 234 |
International goals | 146 |
Career span | 2003–2026 |
Major international trophies | 3 |
European Championship titles | 1 |
UEFA Nations League titles | 2 |
Ronaldo holds the men's international records for both appearances and goals. He surpassed Iran's Ali Daei, who had scored 109 international goals, in September 2021. He also moved past Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa to become the men's record appearance holder.
Three major trophies with Portugal
Ronaldo's international career included three major titles with Portugal.
Euro 2016: Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first European Championship title. Although he was forced off with an injury during the final against France, he continued encouraging his teammates from the sidelines as Portugal won 1-0.
- 2019 UEFA Nations League: Portugal won the inaugural edition of the competition, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.
- 2025 UEFA Nations League: Portugal secured their second Nations League title, adding another major international honour to Ronaldo's career.
A record-breaking goalscoring career
Ronaldo finishes his Portugal career with 146 international goals, the highest tally by any male player in international football.
He broke Ali Daei's long-standing record in 2021 and continued adding to his total over the following years. His goals came across major tournaments, qualifying campaigns and international friendlies.
He also became the first male footballer to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. At the European Championship, he holds the record for the most goals, with 14 across six editions of the tournament between 2004 and 2024.
From teenage winger to Portugal captain
Ronaldo made his international debut before Euro 2004, when he was still an emerging young winger. He quickly became a regular member of the national team and featured in Portugal's run to the final of that tournament.
He later took over the captaincy and became the central figure in Portugal's international campaigns. His leadership and goalscoring played a major role in the team's Euro 2016 triumph and subsequent Nations League victories.
Across six World Cups and five European Championships, Ronaldo remained a prominent figure in Portugal's national team, setting records for longevity, appearances and goals.
What Ronaldo's retirement means for Portugal
Ronaldo's departure marks the end of a defining period for Portuguese football. For more than two decades, he was the team's most recognisable player and its main attacking reference point.
His retirement also creates a leadership and goalscoring gap for Portugal as the team prepares for its next international campaigns. The national side has developed a younger generation of players, but replacing the influence of a footballer with 234 international appearances and 146 goals will be a significant challenge.
His legacy extends beyond the records. Ronaldo helped Portugal move from being regular contenders in major tournaments to becoming European champions and two-time Nations League winners.
His international career may have ended, but his club career with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr is a separate matter. The retirement announcement concerns his future with Portugal and does not, by itself, confirm an end to his professional playing career.