After several weeks of controversy, Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from the Portugal national team is now official.
The forward will no longer represent the country he has played for since 2003. CR7 said goodbye to his supporters in an emotional statement, reflecting on his historic career with the national team.
Much of the media had been waiting until just a few hours ago for Jorge Jesus' press conference, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow. The Portugal manager was expected to announce his squad for the upcoming matches against Denmark and Wales, amid the controversy surrounding his clashes with Cristiano Ronaldo during the previous Nations League international break. However, all plans have now been called off following the striker's announcement that he will no longer represent Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo took to social media to make an announcement that has sent shockwaves around the world. In a speech lasting more than four minutes, the forward expressed his gratitude to a country he helped lead to footballing glory over the course of more than 20 years. He is now bidding farewell to the Portugal national team, with fans eagerly awaiting news of what kind of testimonial match could be organized to celebrate the greatest player in the country's history. An era in European football has come to an end.
"For the Portuguese people, the day has come to return the number seven shirt of our national team. I never felt that it belonged exclusively to me, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me to stadiums all over the world. Today, the time has come to hand it over to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the head alone; they are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has now come to an end," CR7 said in a letter that has been circulating across social media for several hours.
We are talking about the all-time leading goalscorer in Portugal's history. He is also the captain who has lifted the only three major trophies the country has won since first competing in international tournaments. Cristiano Ronaldo retires with more than 200 appearances and a total of 146 goals, helping Portugal win one European Championship and two Nations League titles.
"Over the years, I have learned some very simple things. Goals come and go, trophies remain in museums, and records are eventually broken. But there is something time can never erase: the place we hold in people's hearts. If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it."
More words from Cristiano Ronaldo's statement, announcing the end of his career as a Portugal international.
The forward made his Portugal debut in 2003. Since then, he has represented his country at every edition of the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, never missing a single tournament. He thanked the Portuguese people for their unwavering support over the course of 23 years, during which the only major international trophy to elude him was the FIFA World Cup.
"Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for allowing me to live a dream that began when I was just a little boy running through the woods after a ball. The number seven shirt stays. The pride of having worn it will be mine forever. Portugal will always be a part of me. Until we meet again. Cristiano Ronaldo," the number 7 added.