Cristiano Ronaldo don announce say him international career with Portugal don end. The 41-year-old forward retire after 234 appearances and 146 goals for the national team, two records wey no man don match for international football.
Him make the announcement on Thursday. E come less than one month after the Portuguese Football Federation suspend am for 30 days and fine am €255 because him walk out on the national team. The forward leave camp shortly before a Nations League game against Denmark on October 1, after serious quarrel with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Jesus face media on Friday after naming him squad for Nations League games against Denmark and Wales. The coach talk say him no feel responsible for the decision. ‘No, maybe I rush things, but no be because of me,’ Jesus talk. ‘E dey him head, more call-ups, fewer call-ups. We also talk about am few times. But no, I no feel guilty about anything concerning him departure. I respect him decision.’
The 41-year-old play him last game for Portugal on September 24, when Portugal beat Wales 1-0 for Nations League game inside Lisbon. Him was unused sub for the first time in 18 years for Portugal in a 2-1 win in Norway on October 4.
Jesus, wey coach Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi club Al Nassr before him take over Portugal in July, talk say him think the player go return. ‘I think say he go return. I bin intend to call am up,’ Jesus talk. ‘He feel say na the right moment to leave, and we must respect that. We no fit forget wetin he mean to Portugal, wetin he contribute to the country, and the fact say he be symbol for younger players.’
The forward apologise to him teammates for walking out and talk say him still want play for national team, but him no apologise to Jesus. The coach take over Portugal after the team crash out for round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, and him talk say him and Cristiano Ronaldo discuss the player future in September before the first squad announcement.
For him retirement video, Cristiano Ronaldo talk say ‘Portugal go always be part of me.’ Him first play for Portugal in 2003. Him win Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. For 2026 World Cup, him score three goals, including him first and only World Cup knockout goal, and become the first player to score in six editions of the tournament. Those personal records never translate to the trophy wey him want.
