THE LAST SIUUU! RONALDO RETIRES FROM PORTUGAL

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially brought his remarkable 23-year international career to an end, drawing the curtain on an era that transformed Portugal into a major force in world football.

The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, November 5, 2026, through an emotional statement shared on his social media platforms, confirming that he was finally handing over Portugal's iconic number seven shirt.

Ronaldo walks away as the most prolific men's international footballer in history, having made a record 234 appearances for his country and scored an unprecedented 146 goals.

His departure marks the end of a journey that began in August 2003, when he made his senior international debut as a promising teenager, long before establishing himself as one of football's most celebrated figures.

Over more than two decades, Ronaldo represented Portugal in 12 major international tournaments, featuring in six FIFA World Cups and six European Championships.

His greatest achievement came at Euro 2016, when he captained Portugal to their first-ever major international trophy. He subsequently helped the country secure two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, further cementing his place in Portuguese football history.

However, his international journey was not without disappointments. Portugal's most recent World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16 following defeat to eventual champions Spain, while Ronaldo's performances at the latter stages of his career attracted criticism over his effectiveness in an evolving national team setup.

His retirement also comes against the backdrop of a strained relationship with newly appointed head coach Jorge Jesus, following disagreements over his involvement in the team's recent international assignments.

The disagreement intensified during the September-October international break, when Ronaldo was left on the bench during Portugal's 2-1 victory over Norway despite reportedly being promised playing time.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star subsequently left the national team camp ahead of a Nations League encounter against Denmark, sparking widespread speculation about his future.

In a statement addressing the incident, Ronaldo accused Jesus of going back on his word, saying: "The coach had broken his word to me."

Although the two later held discussions in an attempt to resolve their differences, Ronaldo maintained that their understanding had not been honoured. He eventually apologised to his teammates and the Portuguese public for leaving the camp, accepting responsibility for his actions.

The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently handed him a 30-day suspension and a £215 fine.

Despite the controversy, Ronaldo's departure has been met with an emotional tribute from the federation, which celebrated his extraordinary contribution to the national team and promised to organise a fitting recognition of his achievements.

The federation described him as an inspiring leader and the ultimate symbol of Portugal's national team spirit, acknowledging his role in delivering some of the country's most memorable footballing moments.

"Thank you for everything, CAPTAIN! This will always be your home! Let's go for goal 1,000!" the federation stated.

In his farewell message, Ronaldo reflected on the significance of wearing the national team's number seven shirt, explaining that his greatest achievement was not necessarily the records or trophies but the opportunity to represent his country.

"The goals pass, the cups are in museums, the records end up being beaten. But there is something that time can never erase, the place we occupy in people's hearts," he wrote.

He also acknowledged the sacrifices, disappointments and mistakes that accompanied his international career, insisting that his commitment to Portugal had never wavered.

Ronaldo further expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, technical staff, family and supporters, particularly the Portuguese people who followed his journey across the world.

He added: "I spent my life working to be the best player in the world. Today I realise that the greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world."

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also encouraged younger generations of Portuguese footballers to embrace the responsibility of carrying the national team forward, expressing confidence that the country would continue producing players capable of making history.

His final appearance for Portugal was a 1-0 victory over Wales, bringing an end to a career that saw him become the country's most recognisable sporting figure.

Ronaldo's international retirement also comes months after Argentina captain Lionel Messi reportedly announced his own international departure, prompting Ronaldo to acknowledge his long-time rival's achievements and contribution to the game.

"Leo, so many years defending your country and a history that will last forever. All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug," Ronaldo remarked.

While his Portugal chapter is now closed, Ronaldo is expected to continue his professional career with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where he remains focused on the pursuit of 1,000 career goals.

For Portugal, however, the challenge will be moving forward without the player who wore its colours for 23 years, broke virtually every major international scoring record and captained the nation to historic silverware.

And although the number seven shirt will belong to another generation, Ronaldo has made it clear that his connection to the national team will remain.

As he signed off, the football icon promised to continue celebrating Portugal's victories, even from the stands, with one final trademark expression: a "siuuuuu!"