Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal after 23 years and 146 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced he will no longer play for Portugal, ending a 23-year international career with 234 appearances and a record 146 goals. The decision follows a dispute over playing time with coach Jorge Jesus; Portugal’s football federation thanked Ronaldo and said it plans to organise a tribute.
Bottom line — Ronaldo leaves Portugal as men’s international football’s record scorer, with 146 goals.
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Ronaldo’s final Portugal appearance was a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales on 24 September, according to the Associated Press.
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The Associated Press reports that Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp after Jesus benched him and said he did not plan to start him in the next match.
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Portugal won Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025 during Ronaldo’s international career, according to the Associated Press.
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Ronaldo scored at six World Cups, a record, and finished with 11 goals in the tournament, according to the Associated Press.
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He will continue playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and is pursuing 1,000 career goals; the Associated Press puts his current total at 985.
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The Portuguese Football Federation said it intends to organise a tribute, according to the Associated Press.