Cristiano Ronaldo bows out from national team with emotional message

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football.

In a social media post, the 41-year-old said: "Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision."

He said "thank you for these 23 years" and "Portugal will always be a part of me".

Ronaldo said he would "hand back the ‌number 7 shirt" after ‌the November international break.

The decision to bring his glittering football career to a close comes after a falling out with head coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo was suspended for 30 days and fined £215 after he walked out of the squad's training camp on the last international break. He later apologised and cited broken promises from Jesus as the reason for his departure.

It was a sad ending to a lauded career that began more than two decades ago before Euro 2004 and saw him make 234 ⁠appearances for ​Portugal and ​score 146 ​goals.

Adding that it had not been an "easy decision", Ronaldo said: "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."

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The Portuguese Football Federation praised Ronaldo for a career during which he "carried the nation on his shoulders, shattered records, and led the team to achieve moments that will remain forever etched in the history of our national football".

"Every drop of sweat, every decisive goal, and every time he wore the captain's armband with honour on the pitch served as a reflection of his unconditional love for our jersey," the federation said.

"His commitment and his legacy transcend the boundaries of the playing field."

The federation said a "fitting tribute" to Ronaldo's "immense career" would be organised in the future.

This statement draws a line under speculation among football fans and the Portuguese media that a September match against Wales had been an unofficial farewell for Ronaldo.

He is reported to be the highest-paid footballer in the world - with some estimates placing his Al Nassr salary at £488,000 per day - and holds ⁠the all-time record ⁠for international ​appearances and ​for international goals.

Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi are the only players to feature at six global tournaments.

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