The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on November 5, saying he would hand back Portugal's iconic No. 7 shirt after the November international break.
"To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team," Ronaldo said in a video message shared on social media. "I never felt it belonged to me alone, but 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."
He described the decision as an emotional one, thanking his family, the Portuguese people, his teammates, coaches and everyone who had been part of his journey with the national team.
"If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it," he said.
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in August 2003, at the age of 18, and went on to establish himself as one of the most influential players in the country's football history. Over 234 appearances, he scored 146 goals, setting records for both international appearances and goals in men's football.
His greatest achievement with Portugal came at Euro 2016 in France, where he captained the team to its first major international trophy. Although an injury forced him off in the first half of the final against France, Portugal went on to win 1–0 after extra time, with Eder scoring the decisive goal.
Ronaldo also helped Portugal win the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and claim a second title in 2025. Across his international career, he appeared at six FIFA World Cups, becoming one of only two players, alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi, to achieve that feat.
His final major tournament with Portugal was the 2026 World Cup. The team reached the last 16 before losing 1–0 to eventual champions Spain, ending Ronaldo's pursuit of the one major international trophy missing from his collection.
His departure also follows a period of tension with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. In September, Ronaldo left the national team's training camp ahead of a Nations League fixture after a disagreement over his role in the squad. He subsequently apologized to his teammates and the Portuguese public, while reaffirming his commitment to the national team at the time.
