Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal after 23 years

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on November 5 that he is retiring from international football, ending a 23-year career with Portugal in which he set records for appearances and goals. The 41-year-old made the announcement in a social-media video and said he was handing on the national team’s No. 7 shirt. “For 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world,” Ronaldo said. He described the decision as difficult and said his Portugal journey, which began in August 2003, had changed his life. Ronaldo leaves the national team with 234 appearances and 146 goals, both men’s international records. He captained Portugal to the European Championship title in 2016 and helped the team win the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He also appeared at six World Cups, according to reports on his career. His final appearance for Portugal was the team’s 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales on September 24, according to one report. His retirement followed a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus during the September international window. Ronaldo was left unused against Norway and subsequently left the team camp ahead of...