On an individual level, he also built an unprecedented record: in September 2021, he surpassed the 109 goals of Iranian Ali Daei and became the all-time top scorer in men's national team football.
Ronaldo won the first edition of the UEFA Nations League with Portugal
His last stage was marked by some sporting difficulties. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he lost his starting position during the knockout rounds and Portugal was eliminated in the quarter-finals against Morocco. Later, with Roberto Martínez as coach, he regained prominence and played in the Euro 2024 in Germany, where the team was again eliminated in the quarter-finals.
CR7's last great joy with the Portuguese team was the Nations League of 2024/25. In this tournament, the former Real Madrid player scored two key goals, the winning goal in the 2-1 victory against Germany in the semifinals and the equalizer in the 2-2 final against Spain, which was later decided in favor of A Seleção on penalties by 5-3.
Ronaldo's last cup with the Portuguese national team was the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League
The final stretch of Ronaldo's stay with the national team took place at the 2026 World Cup. At the highest stage of international football, Portugal reached the round of 16, where they fell to La Roja, thus losing their last attempt to win the World Cup.
The match that ended up being the closure of his international career with the Portuguese was the debut in the group stage of the Nations League 2026/27 against Wales in Lisbon, where he played 67 minutes before being substituted.
The final numbers of Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal
In just over 23 years representing his country, the Madeira native played 18,604 minutes, spread over 234 matches, in which he scored 146 goals, provided 45 assists, and received 32 yellow cards and 1 direct red card. In terms of titles, he won 3: 1 Eurocup (2016) and 2 UEFA Nations League (2019 and 2025).
The conflict with Jorge Jesus that may have accelerated his departure
Ronaldo's decision also came after weeks of tension with the sports management of the national team. The arrival of Jorge Jesus to the Portugal bench deepened the differences over the role the forward should occupy, especially regarding his playing minutes.
The episode that ultimately deteriorated the relationship occurred during the last international camp. In the match against Norway in the Nations League, the coach left the captain on the bench and did not grant him minutes in the 2-1 victory. Subsequently, after learning that he would not be a starter in the next match against Denmark, Ronaldo left the camp without authorization.
The recent crossing with Jorge Jesus would have accelerated Ronaldo's decision to retire from the National Team
The attacker maintained that the coach had not respected what they had previously agreed regarding his participation. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) opened a disciplinary file that resulted in a 30-day suspension and a financial penalty for leaving the facilities.
Although at the beginning of October he had expressed his willingness to return once the punishment was served, the distancing from the coaching staff and the lack of a reconciliation of the relationship may have ultimately led him to his departure.
The message from Cristiano Ronaldo announcing his retirement
Portuguese, the day has come to return the number 7 jersey of the team we all belong to. I never felt it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me in stadiums around the world. Today the moment has come to hand it over to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made just with the head; they are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 ends for me today.
When I look back and think about everything I experienced with the national team, I hardly see matches, goals, records, or trophies. I see people. I see immigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt Portugal a little closer. I see millions of Portuguese whom I never met personally, but who were part of my life. Because, after all, football is much greater than a game. Football is about people.
Throughout my career with the national team, I sought to push my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history. I always demanded more of myself, I always wanted more, I always believed we could go further, and I gave everything I had for this jersey. There were perfect afternoons and nights, victories that I will never forget, and defeats that I still find hard to remember. I also failed, I also suffered, there were also moments when I was not able to give the Portuguese what they so desired, but I never gave up. And, above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.
Over these years, I learned very simple things: goals come and go, trophies remain in museums, records are eventually broken. But there is something that time can never extinguish: the place that football occupies in my heart.
After more than two decades as one of the great symbols of Portuguese football, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to close one of the most important chapters of his career. At 41 years old, the forward announced his retirement from the Portugal National Team through an extensive letter published on his social media, in which he reviewed his 23 years with the national jersey and left a message of gratitude for teammates, coaches, family, and fans.
"To the Portuguese: the day has come to return the number seven jersey of the team we all belong to. I never felt it was exclusively mine. But for 23 years, I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me to stadiums around the world. Today, the moment has come to hand it over to the future", he expressed at the beginning of his message.
The attacker, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, acknowledged that it was not an easy decision: "It is not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made only with the head, but also with the heart". The farewell was accompanied by a video of approximately five minutes, set to the songO Amor a Portugal, by Dulce Pontes.
In one of the most emotional passages, CR7 explained that his journey with the national team was marked by more than just sporting achievements. "When I look back and think about everything I experienced with the national team, I hardly see matches, goals, records, or trophies. I see people", he wrote.
On the other hand, he also remembered the Portuguese who accompanied him during these two decades and highlighted the significance of representing his country: "If I ever made you happy, if ever one of my goals made you hug someone, alleviate a worry, or feel pride in our country, then it was all worth it".
The captain also did not shy away from the difficult moments and acknowledged that he could not always meet expectations. "I also failed, I also suffered, there were also moments when I was not able to give the Portuguese what they so desired, but I never gave up. And, above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal", he stated.
Towards the end, he dedicated special words to his teammates, the coaching staff, and the workers who were part of the national team. He also thanked his family for accompanying him throughout the journey and understanding the sacrifices involved in defending the national jersey. "I had the privilege of being your captain, but no captain walks alone, and you are part of my story", he noted. To the fans, he left an image that he assured he would carry with him forever: the moment when the Portuguese anthem begins to play and an entire country unites behind the same passion.
"Today my journey on the field with the national team ends. I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I have taken and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal. But I will never stop being one of you. I will continue to suffer, cheer, and celebrate every victory of Portugal with a siu", he added.
In the final part of the message, the Bicho summarized the significance of the experience for the forward: "I spent my life working to be the best player in the world. Today I realize that the greatest victory was having deserved to represent the best country in the world.Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for believing in me". And he concluded: "The number 7 will continue. The pride of having worn it will be mine forever. Portugal will always be a part of me. Goodbye, until next time, Cristiano Ronaldo".
A historic career: from his debut to three titles with Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo's story with the senior national team began on August 20, 2003, when he debuted at just 18 years old in a friendly match against Kazakhstan. He came on as a substitute for Luís Figo, under the guidance of Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, and quickly began to establish himself as one of the great promises of European football.
His first major competition came at the Euro 2004, held in Portugal. There he scored two goals and reached the final, although the host team lost 1-0 to Greece. Two years later, at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he was one of the standout players of the team that finished in fourth place.
Over time, he took on an increasingly important role within the team and inherited the captain's armband after Figo's departure. Under his leadership, Portugal achieved its first major triumph at the Euro 2016 in France. In that final against the host nation, Ronaldo, who had been having a great tournament, suffered a left knee injury that forced him to leave the field after 25 minutes of the first half, but remained on the sidelines to support his teammates until the end. A goal by Éder in extra time sealed the 1-0 victory and allowed the Portuguese team to achieve the first international title in its history.
With a key Ronaldo throughout the tournament, Portugal won its first international title: Euro 2016
Three years later, the forward lifted a trophy with his country again by winning the first edition of the UEFA Nations League. In that competition, he scored a hat-trick against Switzerland in the semifinals and captained the victory by 1-0 against the Netherlands in the final.
