Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, ending a record-breaking 23-year career with Portugal.
The 41-year-old forward, who holds world records with 146 goals and 234 caps for his country, made the decision public in an Instagram video on Wednesday.
“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said. “I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and 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,” he added. “A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003. Last month he walked out of the national team camp after being told he would not start a Nations League match against Denmark.
The announcement marks the end of one of the most decorated international careers in football history.
