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Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal national team

by Orri Benatar - 11/05/26 8:56 AM ET

by Orri Benatar - 11/05/26 8:56 AM ET

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(WCMH) – Cristiano Ronaldo has decided he has played his last game for the Portugal national team.

The 41-year-old released a video letter on Thursday morning announcing his international retirement after scoring a record 146 goals for Portugal in a record 255 games for his country.

“It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the head alone. They are also made with the heart,” Ronaldo said. “I am bringing to an end a journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever.”

The soccer star, a native of the small island of Madeira, played his first game for Portugal on Aug. 20, 2003, against Kazakhstan and his last on Sept. 27, 2026, against Norway.…