He did not get a farewell match. His last game was a quiet 1-0 win over Wales — and the story ended with a walkout, a suspension and a goodbye video.
Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football. The 41-year-old announced on Thursday, November 5, 2026, that he will never play for Portugal again. He shared the news in a long video on social media, reading out a goodbye letter over clips of his best moments and Portuguese fans.
The decision ends one of the greatest national-team careers in football history. Ronaldo played in six World Cups, won Euro 2016 and holds the men's world record for international goals. But the ending was not the happy one fans wanted. It came about five weeks after he walked out of Portugal's camp in a row with coach Jorge Jesus.
⚡ Ronaldo's Portugal exit in 30 seconds
- What: Ronaldo retired from the Portugal national team.
- When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, in a video on social media.
- Numbers: 146 goals in 234 games — both men's world records.
- Last game: Portugal 1-0 Wales, Nations League, September 24, 2026.
- Why now: A bitter fall-out with coach Jorge Jesus over playing time.
- Is he quitting football? No. He keeps playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
What did Ronaldo say?
Ronaldo spoke straight to the people of Portugal. He opened by saying "the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt", as reported by the Associated Press.
He said the shirt never felt like it belonged only to him. He said the choice was hard, because it came from his heart and not just his head. He remembered how his journey began in August 2003, when he was a teenager.
He was also honest about the bad days. He admitted he made mistakes and lost painful games. He said there were times he could not give fans what they wanted. But he said he never stopped feeling proud. He ended by thanking fans for letting a little boy from Madeira live his dream — and said the pride of wearing No. 7 will stay with him forever.
Why did Ronaldo really quit? The Jorge Jesus row
This goodbye did not come out of nowhere. Here is how the story moved, step by step:
Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and that it was his choice. In the end, Ronaldo chose to leave. In the public reports we checked, the federation had not announced a final punishment before he retired.
The records Ronaldo leaves behind
Before Ronaldo, Portugal had never won a big trophy. They had played in only three World Cups (1966, 1986, 2002) and three Euros (1984, 1996, 2000). With him, they qualified for every single tournament.
| Record | Number |
|---|---|
| International goals (men's world record) | 146 |
| International games (men's world record) | 234 — first man to reach 200 |
| World Cups with a goal | 6 — first man ever |
| World Cup goals | 11 — beat Eusébio's Portugal record of 9 |
| Euro games / Euro goals | 30 / 14 — both all-time records |
| Years in a row scoring for Portugal | 23 (2004 to 2026) |
| Trophies with Portugal | Euro 2016, Nations League 2019 and 2025 |
Ronaldo vs Messi: two very different goodbyes
The timing makes the story even bigger. Lionel Messi said goodbye to Argentina just last month with a big farewell match. Ronaldo's ending was much quieter. His last game was a normal Nations League win, and he left after a public fight with his coach.
Farewell match with Argentina in October 2026. Fans got their big night.
Last game on September 24, a walkout, a suspension, then a goodbye video on November 5.
The good news for fans: the federation says it wants to hold a tribute so the country can cheer him one more time. It called him a hero who inspired young players, adding that "for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time". No date has been announced yet.
What happens next for Ronaldo?
Ronaldo is not retiring from football — yet. He will keep playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and AP reports he is expected to finish his career there at the end of this season.
There is also one big goal left: 1,000 career goals. He is on 985, so he needs 15 more. In an interview published by Vogue in August, he hinted the end is close, saying "This is probably my last year of football", according to Yahoo Sports.
FAQ
Did Cristiano Ronaldo retire from football completely?
No. He only retired from the Portugal national team. He is still playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and is expected to finish his club career at the end of this season.
Why did Ronaldo retire from Portugal?
He fell out with coach Jorge Jesus over playing time. He left the team camp in late September, was provisionally suspended on October 10, and announced his retirement on November 5, 2026.
How many goals did Ronaldo score for Portugal?
146 goals in 234 games. Both are the highest numbers ever in men's international football.
What was Ronaldo's last game for Portugal?
A 1-0 home win over Wales in the Nations League in Lisbon on September 24, 2026.
Will Portugal hold a farewell for Ronaldo?
The Portuguese Football Federation says it plans a tribute so fans can applaud him one more time. No date has been announced yet.
