Ronaldo Retires After 146 Goals in 234 Portugal GamesSports

The numbers behind the farewell are unlikely ever to be matched. Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in August 2003 and went on to play 234 times for his country, scoring 146 goals. Both figures stand as records in the men’s international game, and he also holds the record for the most international victories, with 141 wins in a Portugal shirt.

His career with Portugal brought the trophies that had long eluded the nation. He captained the side to its first major title at the European Championship in 2016, and added Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025. He played in a record six European Championships and a joint-record six World Cups, but the one prize that escaped him was the World Cup itself. His final tournament appearance came at the 2026 World Cup, where Portugal were knocked out in the last 16 by eventual champions Spain.

The ending, however, was clouded by a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo walked out of the national team camp on September 30, a day before a Nations League match in Denmark, after being left out of the side. The Portuguese Football Federation later suspended him for 30 days and fined him 255 euros. His final appearance for Portugal turned out to be a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales on September 24.

Ronaldo is not retiring from football altogether. He will continue his club career with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where he has played since 2023. The Portuguese Football Federation, meanwhile, has promised a tribute event to honour its eternal captain, and said he should receive the farewell he deserves. Whether that takes the form of a final appearance on the pitch remains unclear, but the records he leaves behind, and the identity he gave to Portuguese football, are beyond dispute.