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Archive photo · 2 July 2026Cristiano Ronaldo Retires From Portugal After Fallout With Coach Jorge Jesus
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Ronaldo retires from international football after 23 years with Portugal The move follows a fallout with Portugal's coach Jorge Jesus
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Ronaldo ends Portugal run
Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday the end of his international playing career with Portugal, ending a 23-year run that began in August 2003 and culminated in his last appearance on Sept. 24 in a 1-0 win over Wales.
Ronaldo said, “The day I must return the number 7 jersey of our national team has arrived,” and he added that he carried “the honor and responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and bringing it with me to stadiums around the world.”
Ronaldo’s retirement came after a fallout with coach Jorge Jesus, and ESPN said the announcement followed a 30-day suspension after Ronaldo walked out of the national team in the previous international window.
Jesus kept Ronaldo on the bench for the following match after the Sept. 24 win over Wales, and Ronaldo then left the team’s training camp.
Al Jazeera said Ronaldo walked away with the all-time record for international appearances (234) and goals (146), and it quoted Ronaldo saying, “Portugal will always be a part of me.”
Coach dispute and reactions
Jorge Jesus told Portugal's Channel 11, “I asked him to stay on with me,” and the coach said Ronaldo “will always be a point of reference for our national team, for our people, and for our history.” Ronaldo’s message to the Portuguese public framed the decision as a handover, and ESPN quoted him saying, “Today the time has come to hand it over to the future.” The Portuguese Football Federation responded with a statement praising Ronaldo as its “eternal captain” and promising a fitting ceremony, while CBS News said the federation expressed “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for his service.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “Few players have ever touched the heart of football fans around the world quite like Cristiano,” as tributes spread beyond Portugal. Pedro Proença promised, “We will do everything possible to honor the legacy he leaves us,” while also saying it remained to be seen whether Ronaldo would accept a farewell match.
What comes next for Portugal
Portugal’s next step centers on the Nations League, because ESPN said the announcement came one day before Portugal coach Jorge Jesus names the squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Denmark and Wales. Pedro Proença promised to honor Ronaldo’s contribution and said, “No tribute will ever be enough to thank him for all he has done for Portuguese football, for Portugal,” as Portugal prepared public tributes. The federation intends to organize a tribute “in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much.”
RMC Sport framed the stakes in numbers, saying Ronaldo left his era with 234 caps and 146 goals, and it described him as the record holder for the most goals scored for Portugal or any national team. Ronaldo’s international retirement followed his 41-year-old farewell, and he had first played for Portugal in 2003, while also noting his final chapter included a “controversy” and a “public rift with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.”