Summary Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football at 41 after a falling-out with coach Jorge Jesus, ending a record 234-cap Portugal career.
(Web Desk) – Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he is retiring from international football.
The 41-year-old made 234 international appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals, both world records.
The decision follows a falling-out with national coach Jorge Jesus. Last month, Ronaldo left the team camp after Jesus refused to use him in a Nations League match. The row reportedly escalated after Ronaldo warmed up for a long time against Norway but was never brought on. He later said he would explain his reasons "in time."
Jesus had played down talk of a rift. He said the door remained open for Ronaldo to return and that the forward alone should decide how to end his international career. Portugal went on to beat Denmark 4-2 and then Norway at home, finishing the window top of Group Four with 12 points from 12.
Jesus only took the job this summer. He signed a four-year deal to coach Portugal through the 2030 World Cup, succeeding Roberto Martinez after the team's 1-0 round-of-16 loss to Spain. The two had worked together at Al-Nassr in 2025/26, where they won the Saudi Pro League title.
Ronaldo's future with the national side had been in question since the World Cup. He had said he considered retiring from international football after the tournament but decided to carry on while chasing 1,000 career goals. He had 979 goals across club and international football as of September.
Portugal's next fixtures are in November.
