Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football at 41

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football aged 41 after making 234 appearances and scoring a world-record 146 goals for Portugal. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his decision in an Instagram video, saying it was time to hand over the national team’s number seven shirt. Ronaldo leaves as a European Championship winner, having helped Portugal claim the 2016 title in France despite suffering an injury during the final. He remains Portugal’s modern football icon.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at age 41, ending a Portugal career spanning two decades.

According to Vanguard, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed the decision in a video posted on Instagram on Thursday. Ronaldo made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored a world-record 146 international goals.

“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said.

“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 continued.

His announcement came after a disagreement with national coach Jorge Jesus, who did not play him in a Nations League match last month. Ronaldo left camp and received a 30-day suspension.

Ronaldo’s greatest international triumph came in 2016, when Portugal won the European Championship in France despite his injury in the final.