Cristiano Ronaldo officially announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, marking the end of a remarkable career that included participation in six World Cups and the achievement of a European Championship title, as well as holding the men's all-time international scoring record. This announcement signals the close of a two-decade-long journey that began in August 2003, prior to the Euro 2004 tournament.
In a heartfelt video message shared on social media, the 41-year-old Ronaldo expressed his sentiments regarding his decision. "To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team," he stated. He added that while he never felt the number belonged to him alone, he had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it for 23 years. "Today the time has come to pass it on to the future," he continued, emphasizing that such significant decisions aren't always made solely with the mind, but with the heart as well.
The Portuguese football federation has expressed its “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for Ronaldo's contributions to the national team and the impact he had on Portuguese football. They acknowledged that Cristiano Ronaldo has significantly raised Portugal's profile on an international scale and has inspired countless young players aspiring to emulate his success. The federation stated, "For many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!" In honor of his contributions, they plan to organize a tribute that will allow fans across the country to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind.
Ronaldo's tenure with the national team was capped off by his last appearance on September 24, 2023, in a Nations League match against Wales, where Portugal secured a 1-0 victory. However, following this match, Ronaldo was benched by coach Jorge Jesus in subsequent games. The situation led to a fallout between the player and coach, culminating in Ronaldo's decision to leave the team's training camp. Despite this, Jesus later expressed that Ronaldo would always be welcome back, leaving the ball in Ronaldo's court regarding a possible return.
While Ronaldo steps away from the international stage, he remains active in club football. He currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to finish his club career at the end of the ongoing season. As of now, Ronaldo is on the brink of reaching a significant milestone in his professional career, aiming for his 1,000th career goal; he currently stands at 985 career goals, which includes a record 146 goals scored in 234 appearances for the Portuguese national team.
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international football concludes an illustrious chapter in both his life and the history of Portuguese football, following in the footsteps of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, who recently enjoyed a farewell match with Argentina. As Ronaldo transitions into this new phase of his life, his legacy is firmly established, inspiring future generations to dream big and strive for excellence in the world of football.
