Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from International Football After Historic 23-Year Career
Today marks a significant moment in the world of football, as Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international play with the Portuguese national team. This announcement comes 23 years after he first donned the national colors.
Ronaldo, who has accumulated an impressive 234 caps and scored 146 goals for Portugal, reflected on his journey with the Seleção in a poignant announcement.
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A retrospective look reveals defining moments throughout his illustrious international career:
2004, the first tears
Cristiano Ronaldo experienced heartbreak in his first major tournament with Portugal, losing to Greece in the Euro 2004 final on home soil. At just 19 years old, he could not hold back tears after the final whistle…
📸 ARIS MESSINIS – 2004 AFP
2006, the first World Cup
In a pivotal moment two years later, Ronaldo and his teammates were defeated by France, led by Zinédine Zidane, in the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup. Unbeknownst to them at the time, nearly a decade later, Zidane would take on the role of Ronaldo’s coach.
📸 Ben Radford – 2006 Getty Images
2013, a clash of legends
The European qualifier play-offs in 2013 brought a memorable match against Sweden, where Ronaldo faced off against fellow superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović. The Portuguese star showcased his talent, scoring four goals in total to secure a spot for his country in the 2014 World Cup.
📸 JONATHAN NACKSTRAND – 2013 AFP
2016, the triumph
In what would be a historic achievement for Portugal, the national team claimed its first major title at Euro 2016 by defeating France. As captain, Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name in the annals of Portuguese football history.
📸 Matthias Hangst – 2016 Getty Images
2018, the most iconic hat-trick of his career
The opening match of the 2018 World Cup featured an electrifying encounter between Portugal and Spain. CR7 showcased his remarkable skill with a hat-trick that became one of the most memorable performances of his career.
📸 Dean Mouhtaropoulos – 2018 Getty Images
2022, the beginning of the end?
In the 2022 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo faced the first major controversy of his career when he was benched by the then-manager Fernando Santos…
📸 Francois Nel – 2022 Getty Images
2026, The Last Dance
In a symbolic end to his international journey, Cristiano Ronaldo played his final World Cup match against Spain this summer.
📸 Lars Baron – 2026 Getty Images
