Islamabad, 5 November, 2026 (Ghufran): Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41, bringing an end to an illustrious 23-year career with Portugal’s national team. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed his decision through an emotional video message shared on Instagram, saying he was ready to pass on the iconic number seven shirt to the next generation of players. Ronaldo made his international debut in August 2003 and went on to become Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, scoring 146 goals in 232 appearances, according to the figures provided. In his farewell message, Ronaldo said the time had come to return the national team’s number seven shirt to the Portuguese people, adding that wearing it for 23 years had been both a privilege and a responsibility. He described the decision as difficult, explaining that it was guided not only by his mind but also by his heart. Ronaldo said his international journey, which began in August 2003 and changed his life forever, had finally reached its conclusion. His retirement marks the end of a historic chapter in Portuguese football, during which he established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.