After 23 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from the Portuguese national team. Widely hailed as the greatest player to ever wear the red shirt, Cristiano won one UEFA Euro and two UEFA Nations Leagues, the only trophies in Portugal’s history. Scoring 146 goals in 234 appearances, he is both the top goalscorer for Portugal and international football as a whole. Cristiano also made history by being the Euros’ all time top scorer, playing in the most FIFA World Cups with six, scoring in all of them from 2006 to 2026.
”Even though I am Argentinian, I have to respect him for what he’s done for the sport,” said sophomore Mateo Lartigue.
The last few months since the World Cup haven’t gone well for Ronaldo. Following Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway in September, a game where Cristiano was an unused substitute, it was announced that Ronaldo would be leaving Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen to go back home. According to Ronaldo, Jorge Jesus, head coach of the Portuguese national team, had broken his promise after promising that he would play the second half. On October 6, Ronaldo posted a lengthy statement saying that he still felt like he was wronged but was sorry for leaving camp nevertheless.
After ending his international career after 23 years, Ronaldo is now looking to become the first player in football history to score 1000 goals. As of right now, 15 goals is all Ronaldo needs to complete this milestone. Coming off a league-winning season with 28 goals in the Saudi Pro League last season, Cristiano and Al Nassr will be completing to win the AFC Champions League Elite, the most prestigious trophy in the Asia continent.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will never be a problem for the national team or for me. He is an icon of Portuguese football, of the national team, and of Portugal itself,” said Portugal Head Coach Jorge Jesus said after Ronaldo’s announcement.
