Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo announces his international retirement from Portugal
NBC News • • sports
Key Points:
- Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portugal national soccer team after a 23-year career, ending a legacy that included six World Cups, a European Championship title, and the men's all-time international scoring record.
- Ronaldo's international career began in 2003 and transformed Portugal into a consistent presence at major tournaments, culminating in victories at Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
- Under Ronaldo, Portugal qualified for every World Cup and European Championship, a significant improvement from the sporadic qualifications before his arrival.
- Ronaldo set multiple records, including being the first player to score in six World Cups, reaching 234 international appearances—the most in men's soccer—and scoring in 23 consecutive calendar years for Portugal.
- The Portuguese Football Federation plans to organize a tribute to honor Ronaldo's contributions to the national team and celebrate his outstanding career.
