Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from international football
Portugal's record goalscorer ends a 23-year international career, with the No. 7 shirt to be handed over after the upcoming international break.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has announced his retirement from international football, closing a 23-year career with Portugal in which he made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals. He confirmed the decision in an emotional video and said he will pass on Portugal's famous No. 7 shirt after the forthcoming international break. His career with the national side began at Euro 2004, where he scored his first international goal at 19 against Greece. Other memorable moments included a decisive penalty against England at the 2006 World Cup, a hat-trick against Sweden in 2013 that secured qualification for the 2014 World Cup, and Portugal's first major trophy at Euro 2016. At the 2018 World Cup he scored a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain.