Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal national team

In brief

• Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has announced he is retiring from Portugal's national team.
• He will hand back the number seven shirt after the November international break.
• He holds 234 caps and 146 goals for Portugal, both world records.
• Reports link the decision to a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus over a Nations League match.

Announcement on social media

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will leave the Portugal national team. In a video posted to Instagram, the 41-year-old said he would return the number seven shirt after the November international break, describing the decision as the end of his journey with the national side (Cristiano Ronaldo erklärt Rücktritt aus der Nationalmannschaft – DER SPIEGEL) (Fußballstar: Cristiano Ronaldo tritt aus Portugals Nationalteam zurück – ZEIT ONLINE) (Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty – BBC News).

In the clip, Ronaldo said he had never regarded the shirt as his alone, yet for 23 years he had been entrusted with wearing it and defending it. He added that the choice was not made by reason alone and that it had been difficult.

Career record with Portugal

Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003. He has played 234 internationals and scored 146 goals, both world records (Le footballeur Cristiano Ronaldo annonce sa retraite internationale – Le Monde). In 2016 he helped his country win the European Championship.

Dispute with the coach

Reports say that last month he was not included in the starting lineup for the Nations League match against Denmark, and that he then left the team camp (Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo announces international retirement – France 24). Some reports also say he fell out with national coach Jorge Jesus over the decision.

Key figures

• International appearances: 234
• International goals: 146
• Debut year: 2003
• European Championship win with Portugal: 2016

What comes next

The announcement covers only Ronaldo's international career. His club career is not affected by the decision and he remains a player for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia (Роналду объявил о завершении карьеры в сборной Португалии – NV).