Cristiano Ronaldo will no longer play for the Portugal national team. The footballer announced this himself on social media.
The 41-year-old forward had played for the national team since 2003. He made 234 appearances for it, scoring 146 goals (both figures are world records). In 2016, Portugal, with Ronaldo, became European champions, and in 2019 and 2025 they won the UEFA Nations League.
In recent years, Ronaldo's performances for the national team had increasingly come in for criticism. He continued to claim the role of the undisputed leader of Portugal's attack, but his match fitness no longer fully matched that role.
In September, Ronaldo had a conflict with the national team's head coach Jorge Jesus after the latter did not put him on the pitch in the match against Norway. The footballer left the team's camp without permission, for which he received a temporary suspension and a fine.
At club level, Ronaldo continues to play for Saudi side Al-Nassr.
