Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo retires, shares emotional video

New Delhi: Portugal's legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on Thursday. Ronaldo is the all-time leading goal scorer in men's international football history and the most capped player for his country (234 appearances), scoring 146 goals. He is leaving international football as Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer and longest-serving captain.

Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football in a video message on Thursday. The 41-year-old, a six-time Champions League winner with Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as a Euro and Nations League champion, said he would hand over his No. 7 jersey after the November international break.

Ronaldo participated in six FIFA World Cups, won the European Championship and holds the world record for most goals scored by a male player in international football. His illustrious career, which began more than two decades ago before Euro 2004, ended on a disappointing note. He left the national team after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo shared a video message

"People of Portugal, the day has come for me to hand back my national team jersey number seven," the 41-year-old legend said in a lengthy video message posted on social media. He added, "I never believed this jersey belonged to me alone, but I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it for 23 years, maintaining its dignity, and carrying it with me to stadiums around the world."

Ronaldo's records

After making his international debut in 2003, he played in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and has subsequently participated in five FIFA World Cup tournaments. Ronaldo also became the first player to score in all six World Cup editions (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026). With a total of 11 goals in World Cup history, he is Portugal's all-time top scorer at the World Cup. He retires from international football as Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer and longest-serving captain. Under his captaincy, Portugal won the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

Ronaldo was suspended

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has suspended star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo for 30 days and fined him 255 euros (approximately Rs 27,154) for leaving the national team without permission. The FPF had provisionally suspended former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo and then handed down the punishment.