Lisbon:Cristiano Ronaldo, the superstar captain of the Portuguese national football team, has officially announced his retirement from international competition. This decision marks the end of a remarkable 23-year career with the "Seleção" at the age of 41, concluding one of the most illustrious international football careers in history.
According to Thai News Agency, Ronaldo confirmed his retirement through social media, expressing deep emotion with the caption, "Portugal will always be in me." Since his senior international debut in 2003, Ronaldo has achieved an outstanding record of 234 appearances and 146 goals. His leadership in 12 major tournaments includes 6 World Cups and 6 European Championships, with notable accomplishments such as winning the Euro 2016 title and two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Ronaldo's decision comes amid reports of a conflict with Jorge Jesus, the current head coach of the Portuguese national team, during the last international break. Despite this, Ronaldo reflected positively on his career, stating, "Today I bring an end to my journey on the pitch with the national team. I leave with my head held high, proud of the path I have taken, and fully aware that I have given everything I had to Portugal."
He further expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaching staff, family, and global fans, acknowledging their support over the years "Thank you for the past 23 years. Thank you for believing in me. Portugal will always be in me." Ronaldo also revealed that he contemplated retiring after the North American World Cup and had drafted a retirement statement. However, he was persuaded by Pedro Proenza, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, to reconsider before ultimately deciding to retire officially.