Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football after 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal

5 November 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his international career with Portugal after 23 years in the national side. The 41-year-old leaves with 146 goals in 234 games, and his last appearance came against Wales. The announcement followed a falling out with the national coach, Jorge Jesus, over his leaving the team's training camp without permission. That earned him a sanction of 30 days, already served, and a fine of 255 euros; the coach kept him on the bench for one match and said he would not start the next, and Ronaldo went home. Portugal's football establishment thanked him for his years in the shirt and praised the part he has played in carrying the country's game abroad. He first came into the squad as a teenager under Luiz Felipe Scolari, who told him he would one day captain Portugal if he changed his attitude. His first great disappointment came at home, when Greece won the final of the European Championship at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.