Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football: check his world-record 146 goals in 234 caps after 6 World Cups

Cristiano Ronaldo has brought his international career with Portugal to a close. The 41-year-old ends as the most-capped player and the highest scorer in the history of men’s international football, signing off with 146 goals in 234 appearances. He captained Portugal to three senior titles and featured at six World Cups.

Cristiano Ronaldo announces his Portugal exit in a video on his official X account

Ronaldo made the announcement on Thursday, November 5, in a five-minute video posted on his social media accounts. The caption read “Portugal estará sempre em mim” (“Portugal will always be in me”), a line he also delivers at the end of the clip.

Reading from printed pages, he said: “To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our National Team.” He described the decision as difficult and noted that a journey which began in August 2003 “has come to an end”. He continued: “Today, my journey on the pitch with the National Team comes to an end. I leave with my head held high.” Closing the message, he added: “The number 7 shirt will remain. The pride of having worn it will be mine forever. Portugal will always be a part of me.”

World records for caps and goals

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 234 caps and 146 goals are both world records in men’s international football. His final appearance came in the Nations League opener against Wales in September, where he started.

Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles

Ronaldo captained Portugal to the 2016 European Championship and also led the side to Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. After Portugal’s World Cup exit this summer he noted that he had won three titles for his country.