Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing to an end a remarkable 23-year journey with the national team that began in August 2003.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Portuguese people, Ronaldo said the day had come to hand back the shirt and captain’s armband of the national team that belongs to all. He said he never felt it was exclusively his, but for 23 years he had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it to stadiums around the world.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted it was not an easy decision, noting that some decisions are not made with the head alone, but also with the heart. He said today, the moment has come to pass the shirt on to the future.
Looking back on his career, Ronaldo said he does not just see matches, goals, records or trophies, but people. He recalled immigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to Portugal, and millions of Portuguese he never met personally but who became part of his life, stressing that football is much bigger than a game.
Throughout his career, he said he always tried to push beyond his limits, to win, to be the best and to make history. He described himself as always demanding, always wanting more, and always believing Portugal could go further, giving everything he had for the shirt through perfect victories and painful defeats.
He also acknowledged his failures and moments of suffering, including times he could not give the Portuguese people what they wanted so badly. But he insisted he never gave up, and above all, never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.
Ronaldo paid special tribute to his teammates, thanking them for every run, hug, argument, moment of silence before stepping onto the pitch, and every victory and defeat that made them stronger. He also thanked coaches, directors, doctors, physiotherapists, kit managers and staff, saying many never appeared in photographs but without them none of the photographs would have been possible.
He thanked his family for sharing the dream, understanding the absences and sacrifices, and walking hand in hand with him throughout the journey. He added that if he made it this far, it was because they always walked together.
In his closing message to Portuguese people around the world, Ronaldo said he will always carry the image of the national anthem beginning, looking around to see teammates, children, mothers, fathers and grandparents who travelled from far away. In those moments, he said, there are no clubs, colours, classes or opinions, only one passion: Portugal.
