Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo announces international retirement after illustrious career with Portugal

Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo announces international retirement after illustrious career with Portugal In a major development, Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bidding adieu to his career with Portugal. The all-time leading goalscorer for the Merengues made the announcement through a video on Instagram, with the caption: “Portugal will always be in me.” Cristiano’s Portugal career ends on a disappointing note Cristiano’s future with Portugal had become a major talking point following his departure from the national team’s camp without permission during the previous international break, following a public disagreement with manager Jorge Jesus. The legendary forward was subsequently handed a 30-day suspension and fined €255 for leaving the squad prematurely. Cristiano had previously acknowledged that he would accept any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation, and he served the disciplinary sanction. However, the disagreement with Jesus proved difficult to be resolved. Cristiano, in an open letter, had revealed that he felt betrayed by the coach’s public explanations, believing they contradicted the understanding reached between them during a previous meeting. Bringing an illustrious career to an end. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Despite the disciplinary matter being settled, the relationship between the two had not returned to normal. Ronaldo had therefore been considering whether to return for Portugal’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark on 14 November and Wales on 17 November. However, rather than returning to the national team, the 40-year-old has decided to bring his Portugal career to an end. Cristiano says goodbye In a long video, Cristiano sent a message to the Portuguese people, stepping away from the national team for good. “The day has come to return the number 7 shirt of our National Team. I never felt it was exclusively mine. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, of defending it and of taking it with me to stadiums all over the world.” Continuing, he added: “Today the moment has arrived to hand it over to the future. It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not taken only with the head; they are also taken with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever comes to an end. When I look back and think about everything I experienced with the National Team, I do not see only matches, goals, records or trophies. “I see people. I see immigrants who, for ninety minutes, felt Portugal a little closer. I see millions of Portuguese people I never met personally, but who formed part of my life. Because, in the end, football is much bigger than a game. Football is people. “Throughout my entire career with the National Team I sought to push beyond my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history. I was always demanding of myself. I always wanted more; I always believed we could go further.” Reminiscing his journey with the Selecao and the ups and downs, Cristiano noted: “And I gave everything I had for this shirt. There were perfect afternoons and nights; there were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember today. “I also failed, I also suffered; there were moments when I was not able to give the Portuguese people what they so greatly desired. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling pride in representing Portugal.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) “Over these years I learned some very simple things. Goals pass, cups stay in museums, records eventually get broken. “ Cristiano then went on to state that how the love he felt from the fans made the journey so special, saying: “But there is something that time can never erase: the place we occupy in people’s hearts. If I ever made you happy, if a goal of mine ever made you hug someone, forget a worry, or simply feel pride in our country, then it was all worthwhile.” “Because being Portuguese is also that. We suffer together, we rise together. We believe again.” Passing on the baton to the next generation, he added: “Portugal will always need young people who dream, players who never give up, new generations who believe it is possible to reach places no one has reached before. “Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.” Cristiano then went on to express his gratitude towards his teammates from the present and the past, as well as the members of the staff he had worked with along the way. “To my teammates from this era, I want to leave a special word. Thank you for every run, for every hug, for every argument, for every silence before stepping onto the pitch. For every victory we celebrated together and for every defeat that made us stronger. “I had the privilege of being your captain. But no captain walks alone. And you are part of my story. “To all the coaches, directors, doctors, physiotherapists, kit men, staff and so many people who worked with me over these years: my thanks. Many of you never appeared in the photographs. But without you, none of those photographs would have been possible.” Thanking his family for the support and sacrifices throughout his journey, Cristiano said: “To my family, thank you for sharing this dream with me. “Thank you for understanding the absences, the sacrifices and the moments when the National Team had to occupy a space that also belonged to you. If I got this far, it was because we were always hand in hand. Concluding, he thanked the Portuguese people and his fans across the world, saying: “And to the Portuguese people, to all the Portuguese scattered around the world, I want to tell you one last thing. There is an image I will always carry with me: the moment the national anthem begins. “I look around, I see my teammates, I see the stands, I see children, mothers, fathers and grandparents. I see Portuguese people who came from so far just to be there. And during those minutes we stop being different. “There are no clubs, no colours, no classes, no professions, no opinions. There is only one passion: Portugal.This is the feeling I will take with me for the rest of my life. Today my journey on the pitch with the National Team ends. “I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took and with the knowledge that I gave everything I had for Portugal. But I will never stop being one of you. “I will continue to suffer, to feel the emotion and to celebrate every victory of Portugal with the same intensity. “I spent my life working to be the best player in the world. Today I realise that the greatest victory was having earned the right to represent the best country in the world. Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for allowing me to live a dream that began when I was just a boy in Madeira, running after a ball. “The shirt that is worn stays; the pride of having worn it will be mine forever. Portugal will always be in me. Until always, Cristiano Ronaldo.” Ronaldo leaves behind an extraordinary record of 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country, making him the player with the most appearances and the most number of goals for Portugal. He also happens to be the all-time highest goal scorer in men’s international football history. During this time, he also won the UEFA Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League trophies.