Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, retires from international football with record 146 goals for Portugal
By Vera, Vocemundi ·
By Vera, Vocemundi · 2026-11-05
Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football. The 41-year-old announced the decision on Thursday 5 November 2026 in a video posted on Instagram.
He ends his Portugal career with 146 goals in 234 appearances, both men's international records. He made his debut in August 2003 and played at six World Cups. He captained Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and to Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
The BBC quoted him as saying: "It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone - they are also made with the heart."
Ronaldo's most recent Portugal appearance was the 1-0 Nations League win over Wales on 24 September. He was then an unused substitute against Norway. The BBC said this was the first time in a competitive Portugal game since 2008, while ESPN said it was the first time in 18 years for Portugal. He left the camp after Jesus said he would not start the next match.
The Portuguese Football Federation suspended him for 30 days and fined him. According to the BBC, the fine was £215 and the suspension covered no Portugal matches. ESPN reported that the announcement came just after he had served the ban.
The BBC reported that Ronaldo said after leaving the camp that he would not retire. It also reported that his video did not mention the dispute, though he said: "I made mistakes; I suffered".
Portugal's squad for this month's Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales is due to be announced on 6 November. Ronaldo will continue playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He has 985 career goals and is pursuing 1,000.
What is disputed
- Norway match date: ESPN reports gave both 27 September and 4 October.
- Departure from camp: The BBC said Ronaldo left in September. France 24 and ESPN said last month.
- Trigger: The BBC said he left after being told he would not start against Denmark. DW, The Guardian and Al Jazeera said he left after Jesus said he would not start the next match. France 24 said he left after Jesus refused to use him in a Nations League match.
- Final appearance: The Guardian and Al Jazeera called the Wales match his last. DW said that may depend on the planned tribute.
What each side says
- Ronaldo: He said Jesus had twice broken his word, according to the BBC. ESPN said he accused Jesus of breaking promises over his playing time.
- Jesus: After the walkout, he said the door remained open, according to the BBC, The Guardian and Al Jazeera. ESPN said he insisted there was "no issue" but admitted mistakes in handling Ronaldo's role against Norway.
- Federation: It thanked Ronaldo and said it wants to organise a tribute. It said that "for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time", as quoted by DW.
The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include a specific reason from Ronaldo for retiring now, or a reaction from Jesus to the announcement. They give differing English translations of Ronaldo's and the federation's words.
Analysis
The sequence of events raises an obvious question, but timing alone does not show why Ronaldo retired, and the reports include no statement from him linking the decision to the dispute. For Portugal, the next questions are practical: who becomes captain and who wears the number seven shirt. The reports name no one for either. The federation's tribute could also settle whether the Wales match remains his final appearance, depending on its form. At club level, Ronaldo needs 15 more goals to reach 1,000. Reports that he may finish his club career this season name no source, so that timeline remains unconfirmed.
Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.
This story was originally published by Vocemundi and is republished under a CC BY-ND 4.0 license. How we verified this story.
Originally published by Vocemundi Wire — English