Cristiano Ronaldo retired from Portugal duty on 5 November 2026 at 41, ending a 23-year international career with 146 goals and a record 234 appearances.
Key Highlights
- Ronaldo leaves with the men’s world records for international goals and appearances.
- He captained Portugal to Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.
- His last Portugal match was against Wales in September. He will continue playing club football for Al Nassr.
Ronaldo announced his decision on Thursday in a video about handing back Portugal’s No. 7 shirt. He thanked his family, teammates, staff and supporters and spoke about the responsibility of wearing the shirt over more than two decades. His retirement applies to national-team duty. FIFA’s retirement report: FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo’s First and Last Matches for Portugal
In August 2003, Luiz Felipe Scolari sent an 18-year-old Ronaldo on for Luís Figo at half-time against Kazakhstan. Portugal won 1–0. The score was the same in Ronaldo’s final international on 24 September 2026, when João Félix scored against Wales in the Nations League. Ronaldo started that game and went off in the second half FIFA’s career tribute.
The Wales match came more than two months after Portugal’s World Cup exit, a 1–0 defeat by eventual champions Spain in the round of 16. He left Portugal’s camp later in September after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus, Reuters reported. The Portuguese Football Federation says it plans to organise a tribute. Ronaldo shared his farewell video on his official X account.
How Ronaldo Scored 146 International Goals
Portugal were trailing the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in September 2021 when Ronaldo headed in the equaliser in the 89th minute. It was goal No. 110, the one that took him past Iran’s Ali Daei. He scored again in stoppage time to win the match 2–1. UEFA’s international goals record.
| Competition or Match Type | Portugal Goals |
| World Cup qualifying | 41 |
| European Championship qualifying | 41 |
| International friendlies | 22 |
| UEFA Nations League | 15 |
| European Championship finals | 14 |
| FIFA World Cup finals | 11 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 2 |
| Total | 146 |
The qualifying rounds accounted for 82 goals. The 11 at World Cup finals cover six separate editions, from his first tournament in 2006 to his last in 2026. Two goals against Uzbekistan in the 2026 group stage made Ronaldo the first man to score at six World Cups. Ronaldo’s 200th cap came away to Iceland in June 2023. He was the first man to reach that mark and scored the only goal in the 89th minute of UEFA’s international appearances record.
Three Trophies Ronaldo Won With Portugal
Ronaldo went off injured in the Euro 2016 final and spent part of the match urging Portugal on from the touchline. Nine years later, he was still scoring in finals, this time against Spain in Munich.
- Euro 2016. Éder scored in the 109th minute against France to give Portugal their first major senior men’s title.
- 2019 Nations League. Ronaldo scored all three Portugal goals in the semi-final against Switzerland. Gonçalo Guedes struck the winner against the Netherlands in the final.
- 2025 Nations League. Ronaldo volleyed in the equaliser against Spain. Portugal won the shootout 5–3 after a 2–2 draw.
What Comes Next for Portugal and Ronaldo
The November Nations League fixtures give Jesus two more games to settle on a forward line after Ronaldo’s retirement. Portugal won both reverse fixtures, including a 4–2 victory away to Denmark in October.
Ronaldo will continue playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, according to FIFA. His club announced a two-year renewal in June 2025 that runs until 2027.
FAQs
When did Ronaldo score his first goal for Portugal?
He scored against Greece on 12 June 2004 in his European Championship debut. Greece won the opening match 2–1 and went on to beat Portugal in the final.
Who did Ronaldo score his last Portugal goal against?
His 146th and final Portugal goal came against Croatia on 2 July 2026. He converted a penalty in Portugal’s 2–1 win in the World Cup round of 32.
Did Ronaldo win the World Cup with Portugal?
Portugal’s best World Cup finish with Ronaldo was fourth in 2006, his first edition. They reached the semi-finals that year and lost the third-place match to Germany.
How many international hat-tricks did Ronaldo score?
UEFA counts 10 matches in which Ronaldo scored at least three goals for Portugal. That total includes two games in which he went on to score four.
Which country did Ronaldo score against most often?
Luxembourg conceded 11 goals to Ronaldo, the most of any national team he faced. Hungary came next with nine, followed by Armenia, Lithuania and Sweden with seven each.
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