Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football. The 41-year-old will step away from the Portuguese national team having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances, with his announcement coming ahead of Portugal's UEFA Nations League clash with Wales later this month.
Portugal are set to take on Craig Bellamy's side at the Cardiff City Stadium on November 17, but will now do so without their greatest ever player. Ronaldo shared the news with an emotional social media video.
A 23-year journey comes to an end
In the video, Ronaldo said: "The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world."
He added: "Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end."
Ronaldo made his international debut at the age of 18 in 2003 against Kazakhstan, and appeared at six World Cups and five European Championships. Perhaps his finest hour in international football came when he led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, their first ever major honour.
Recent fallout and final decision
Ronaldo's international future has been the subject of debate for some time. Things appeared to come to a head last month when he was fined £215 for leaving the last international camp after he was left on the bench against Norway and found out he would not be starting against Denmark on October 1.
That all unfolded amid what seemed to be a high-profile fallout with coach Jorge Jesus, although there had recently been signs there could be a way back for Ronaldo in his plans. However, he has now decided to call time on his international career.
