Cristiano Ronaldo announces international retirement: ‘Portugal will always be in my heart’

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international duty with Portugal.

The 41-year-old’s final, and 234th, game for his nation was a 1-0 win against Wales in September.

Ronaldo left the Portugal camp early after being an unused substitute in the following game, an action for which he was fined €255 (£215; $286) and given a 30-day ban. He said in a 1,740 word statement explaining his decision and apologising to his team-mates he would not retire.

However on Thursday, the forward released a statement on his social media announcing his immediate international retirement.

“The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team,” he said. “I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.

“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart.

“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end. When I look back at everything with the national team, I don’t just see the matches, goals, records or trophies.

“I see people. I see the Portuguese people living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who became part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.”

No men’s footballer has made as many international appearances (234) or scored as many goals (146) for their nation as Ronaldo, who is widely recognised as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

The five-time Ballon d’Or-winner made his international debut in 2003, and won the 2016 European Championship, in addition to two Nations League titles, with Portugal.