Portuguese Football Federation bids farewell to Cristiano Ronaldo: "the greatest of all time"
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has described Cristiano Ronaldo, who has announced his retirement from the national team, as "the greatest player of all time".
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has described Cristiano Ronaldo, who has announced his retirement from the national team, as "the greatest player of all time".
The 41-year-old star announced on Thursday that he was ending his international career, following a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus during the last international break.
Ronaldo, who first wore the Portugal shirt in 2003, made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals for the national team, and holds the national record in both categories.
The legendary player captained Portugal to the European Championship in 2016, the first major trophy in the country's history, and also enjoyed Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025. Ronaldo bows out as the only player to have scored at least 10 goals at both the World Cup (11) and the European Championship (14), and his tally at the European Championship remains a tournament record.
In its official statement, the FPF announced that a special farewell event is being planned for the legendary captain. The statement read:
"The Portuguese Football Federation expresses its deepest and lasting gratitude to its eternal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has announced his definitive retirement from the national team. It is a matter of profound gratitude and admiration for us to publicly praise and thank Cristiano Ronaldo for his truly extraordinary career in the service of our country. Cristiano Ronaldo has brought glory to the name of Portugal, has inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps, and has been, for many of us, the greatest player of all time! Our Federation will not allow this farewell to take place without the tribute it deserves. It is our greatest wish to organise a farewell befitting his career, at which the supporters and the whole country can once again applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much."
Ronaldo's former club Manchester United, as well as his former team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, also shared messages of goodwill for the veteran.
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, meanwhile, said that Ronaldo had in fact planned to retire after the 2026 World Cup, but that efforts had been made to persuade him to carry on. In his statement, Jesus said: "This is entirely his decision. We had the chance to discuss the matter before the first squad announcement. I asked him to stay, to be by my side, because I needed him; but I have to respect his decision. He is a global figure, a symbol for Portugal and for the national team. He has given so much to the national team over the years. He is also an icon for Portugal's youth. I also had the opportunity to work with him for a year at Al-Nassr. He will always remain a reference point for our history and our people."