In brief
Ronaldo told fans that his journey with Portugal will end after the 2026 World Cup, where he became the first player to score in six different editions of the tournament. He returned the number 7 shirt and celebrated a record 234 appearances and 146 goals. A claim that the announcement was accompanied by an €255 fine remains unverified.
On Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo announced that he would retire from international duty for Portugal after a 23‑year career, concluding his record run of 234 caps and 146 goals.
In a statement released from Lisbon, the Seville‑born striker said, with the weight of a record‑breaking career, “Today, my journey with the Portugal national team comes to an end. The time has come for me to return the number 7 shirt to the national team and bring an end to a career that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever.”
The announcement came after Ronaldo’s final appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, where he made history by scoring in six different tournaments.
Sparta’s report notes that the retirement follows a bout of back‑dated fines, with an online sports outlet claiming a €255 penalty was levied against Ronaldo; the fine is listed in a post‑tournament summary but has not been confirmed by official football authorities.
ESPN also reported Ronaldo’s retirement after the 2026 tournament, echoing the senior national team’s record and his decision to return the number 7 shirt.
