Cristiano Ronaldo bids farewell to the Portuguese national team, ending a 23-year journey destined to remain in the history of international football. The announcement came on Friday, November 6, 2026, through a long video posted on his social media profiles, in which the star explained the reasons for a decision made after weeks of tensions with the coaching staff. An emotional farewell, accompanied by words of gratitude towards the fans and a country that Ronaldo represented for over two decades, becoming its most recognized sports symbol worldwide.
The choice came at a particularly delicate moment for the Portuguese national team, following clashes between the player and head coach Jorge Jesus. Relations had deteriorated up to the point of Ronaldo's removal from the team's camp on the eve of the Nations League match against Denmark. Despite rumors of a possible reconciliation in recent hours, the champion decided to announce the end of his international career publicly, ahead of the new call-ups scheduled for Friday.
The record of his career with Portugal tells an exceptional sports story. Since his debut in 2003, Ronaldo has accumulated 234 appearances and scored 146 goals, numbers that, according to reports, place him at the top of international rankings for matches played and goals scored with a men's national team. These achievements are complemented by three trophies, including the European Championship won in 2016 in France and two editions of the Nations League. Successes that have helped transform Portugal into one of the most competitive teams on the international football scene.
In his message to his fellow countrymen, Ronaldo emphasized the human significance of his experience, explaining that the time to leave the number seven jersey came after long reflection. The champion recalled the privilege of representing his country in stadiums worldwide and admitted how difficult it was to make a decision that involves not only his sports career but also personal feelings and memories. For over twenty years, he explained, that jersey represented a responsibility he tried to honor on every occasion, facing victories, defeats, sacrifices, and challenging moments.
Particularly significant was the passage dedicated to the value of relationships built during his international career. Ronaldo recounted that, looking back on his journey with the national team, what stands out most are not just the results achieved on the field, but above all the people met and the emotions shared. A reflection that accompanies the acknowledgment of mistakes made and difficulties faced, without questioning the pride of having worn Portugal's colors. The star reiterated that he always gave his best, with the ambition to win and leave a mark in football history.
In his farewell, the player also recalled his origins in Madeira, where as a child he began chasing the dream of becoming a professional footballer. A path that would lead him to conquer the main international stages, transforming him into one of the most famous athletes of his generation. The connection with his homeland and the Portuguese people is one of the central elements of the message, in which Ronaldo expressed gratitude for the support received over all these years.
However, leaving the national team does not mean a break from Portuguese football. Ronaldo assured that he will continue to follow the team as a fan, sharing its emotions and celebrating the successes of his now former teammates. His message included a reference to the famous 'Siuuu', the celebration that became a recognizable trademark worldwide, which the champion promised to continue dedicating to Portugal's victories. A way to emphasize that the relationship with the national team will not end with his last appearance on the field.
From a sporting perspective, Ronaldo's retirement inevitably opens a new phase for the Portuguese team. The squad will have to face the future without its most representative player, a figure who for over two decades has been a technical, media, and symbolic reference. Managing the generational transition and building new balances will be among the main challenges for the coaching staff, tasked with turning the page after one of the longest and most important individual experiences in national team history.
The circumstances surrounding the separation also carry weight. The tensions with the head coach and the removal from the camp contributed to making an announcement that many imagined might come in a different context unexpected. However, Ronaldo chose to focus his message on memories and gratitude, avoiding turning the farewell into a public confrontation with the coach or the federation. His decision thus closes a chapter that spanned generations of fans and numerous transformations in international football.
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