Ronaldo calls time on Portugal career after 234 caps and 146 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, ending a Portugal career that began in August 2003. The 41-year-old announced his decision on Thursday, through a statement on social media, in a move that caught the football world by surprise.

He leaves as the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals scored in 234 appearances. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner led Portugal to the 2016 European Championship and added two Nations League titles to his collection.

Ronaldo’s statement centred on the number 7 shirt, which he wore for 23 years and carried into stadiums around the world. “The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team,” he said.

The decision follows a troubled spell. Ronaldo’s 234th and final appearance was a 1-0 win over Wales in September. He then left the Portugal camp early after being an unused substitute in the next game, and was fined €255 (£215) and given a 30-day ban.

In a 1,740-word statement explaining his decision and apologising to his team-mates, he had earlier said he would not retire. Goal reports that his rift with manager Jorge Jesus had appeared to be patched up, which made Thursday’s announcement all the more unexpected.

Looking back on a journey that “changed my life forever”, Ronaldo said he sees more than “matches, goals, records or trophies”. He pictures the “Portuguese people living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home”, and millions he has never met.