Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old captain of the Portugal national football team, announced on Thursday, November 5, that after the conclusion of the national tournament in November 2026, he will end his 23-year career with the national team. Posting a message on social media, Ronaldo described his decision to leave national football as a difficult one and said that wearing the Portugal shirt has always been a great honor and a heavy responsibility for him. This Portuguese footballer who has been with his country's national team since August 2003, with 234 matches and 146 national goals, was presented as the record holder for the most matches and national goals in the history of men's football in the world. During his time in the Portugal national team, Ronaldo won the European Cup of Nations in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. On Thursday, November 5, the Portuguese Football Association released a statement in response to the announcement of Ronaldo's retirement and announced plans to hold a special ceremony in his honor. This federation declared in part of its statement: "We are determined to design and organize a ceremony worthy of the great career of Cristiano Ronaldo and actively participate in it; a ceremony where the fans and the people of the country can once again cheer and honor the player who made us so proud." The Portuguese Football Association also appreciated Ronaldo's achievements and emphasized that his farewell should not be done without holding a proper ceremony and paying respect to his years of presence in the national team. At the end of this statement it said: "Thanks for everything, Captain! This will always be your home! To the thousand flower! ".

Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old captain of the Portugal national football team, announced on Thursday, November 5, that after the conclusion of the national tournament in November 2026, he will end his 23-year career with the national team. Posting a message on social media, Ronaldo described his decision to leave national football as a difficult one and said that wearing the Portugal shirt has always been a great honor and a heavy responsibility for him. This Portuguese footballer who has been with his country's national team since August 2003, with 234 matches and 146 national goals, was presented as the record holder for the most matches and national goals in the history of men's football in the world. During his time in the Portugal national team, Ronaldo won the European Cup of Nations in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. On Thursday, November 5, the Portuguese Football Association released a statement in response to the announcement of Ronaldo's retirement and announced plans to hold a special ceremony in his honor. This federation declared in part of its statement: "We are determined to design and organize a ceremony worthy of the great career of Cristiano Ronaldo and actively participate in it; a ceremony where the fans and the people of the country can once again cheer and honor the player who made us so proud." The Portuguese Football Association also appreciated Ronaldo's achievements and emphasized that his farewell should not be done without holding a proper ceremony and paying respect to his years of presence in the national team. At the end of this statement it said: "Thanks for everything, Captain! This will always be your home! To the thousand flower! ".