Cristiano Ronaldo announces international retirement
Cristiano Ronaldo has made his retirement from the Portugal national team official in a video statement, reported by several media outlets, after 23 years with the squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his international retirement with Portugal. The striker released a video statement, according to Sports Mole, confirming the end of his national team career after 23 years, reports the Evening Standard.
A record career
Ronaldo brings an end to a run of 234 caps, according to FourFourTwo. He scored 146 goals wearing the Portuguese shirt, The Independent specifies. His international career nonetheless ended in controversy, after he left the team squad last month, the same outlet adds.
An emotional statement
In his message, Ronaldo mentions the number 7 shirt. "The number 7 shirt will remain. The pride of having worn it will be mine forever. Portugal will always be a part of me," he declares, quoted by Football365. The full statement, 856 words long, was released as a video, according to Sports Mole.
Reactions and next steps
Several media outlets, including The Independent, Sports Mole, the Evening Standard, and FourFourTwo, have relayed the announcement. No official reaction from the Portuguese Federation has been reported in the file. The next step for Ronaldo is not specified by the sources.
