Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after Portugal lost a World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo announced his international retirement on Thursday in a video message. Ronaldo is a six-time Champions League winner with Manchester United and Real Madrid as well as a Euro and Nations League champion. The 41-year-old ‌said he would ‘hand back the number 7 shirt’ after the November international break.

Ronaldo ​has ‌made 234 appearances for ‌Portugal ​and ​scored ​146 goals. He holds the record for international appearances and for international goals.

“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team. 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. Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future.…