Ronaldo Retires: Portuguese Football Legend Hangs Up His Boots After 23-Year International Career

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football , bringing an end to a record-breaking 23-year career with Portugal. The 41-year-old forward confirmed his decision on Thursday, retiring as men’s international football’s most-capped player (234 appearances) and all-time leading goalscorer (146 goals). Here is a look at the timeline of Ronaldo’s international career: Ronaldo made his senior debut for Portugal at the age of 18 in a 1-0 friendly win against Kazakhstan. He scored his first international goal in a 2-1 loss against Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004. The date also marked his first appearance at a major senior tournament. At his first World Cup in Germany, Ronaldo scored his first World Cup goal by converting a penalty in Portugal’s 2-0 win over Iran. Ronaldo made his debut as Portugal captain in a friendly against Brazil. He earned his 100th cap for Portugal in a 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier. Ronaldo scored his first international hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier. He became Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with a pair of goals against Cameroon in a 5-1 friendly victory, taking his tally to 49 goals, two more than Pauleta at the time. Ronaldo became Portugal’s most-capped player with his 128th appearance in a match against Austria at Euro 2016, surpassing Luis Figo. Portugal won their first major international trophy, defeating hosts France 1-0 in extra time. Ronaldo was forced off injured early in the game but returned from the touchline to lift the trophy as captain. He scored his first World Cup hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain in Portugal’s opening match in Russia. Ronaldo helped Portugal win the inaugural Nations League with a 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the final. He reached a century of goals for Portugal in a 2-0 Nations League win over Sweden, scoring his 100th and 101st goals that day. Ronaldo became the outright leading scorer at the European Championships, passing Michel Platini’s nine goals with a brace against Hungary. He surpassed Ali Daei’s long-standing record of 109 international goals with two late goals in a 2-1 win over Ireland. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo became the first man to score at five World Cups by converting a penalty against Ghana in a 3-2 win. He became the most-capped men’s international player with his 197th appearance against Liechtenstein, surpassing Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa. Ronaldo became the first man to earn 200 international appearances in a 1-0 victory at Iceland, scoring the winning goal. He became the first player to appear at six European Championships, starting in Portugal’s 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. Ronaldo helped Portugal win their second Nations League title by scoring in the 2-2 final against Spain, which Portugal won 5-3 on penalties. He became the first man to score at six World Cups after a brace against Uzbekistan in a 5-0 victory. On the same day, he surpassed Eusebio as Portugal’s leading World Cup scorer, reaching 10 goals. Ronaldo left the national team camp after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese federation announced a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine for Ronaldo for leaving the national team camp. Ronaldo confirmed his retirement from international football, ending a career that included 234 appearances and 146 goals, both men’s world records.