Portuguese: Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football after representing Portugal for 23 years. The 41-year-old forward made the announcement through a social media post on Thursday.
Ronaldo said he would return Portugal’s iconic number 7 jersey after the November international break, bringing an end to his long career with the national team.
His international journey began on August 20, 2003, when he made his debut against Kazakhstan at the age of 18. Over the following 23 years, he represented Portugal in 234 matches.
During this period, Ronaldo scored a record 146 goals for his country and also provided 46 assists. An assist is the final pass that helps a teammate score a goal.
Ronaldo’s international career has made him the highest goal-scorer in men’s international football, according to the figures cited in the report.
Despite his remarkable achievements and lengthy service to Portugal, winning the FIFA World Cup remained an unfulfilled dream. His decision to retire from international football marks the end of an era for Portuguese football and brings his 23-year national-team journey to a close.
