Cristiano, a giant who hangs up his boots for the national team

Cristiano Ronaldo retires from the national team after 23 years, leaving a legacy of 234 matches and 146 goals. He led Portugal to its first major titles, including the European Championship and two Nations League trophies. His career was marked by both triumphs and conflicts with coaches, notably Jorge Jesus and Fernando Santos. Ronaldo made his debut in 2003 and became the first player to reach 200 international caps, as well as the all-time leading scorer for national teams. His final goal came in the 2026 World Cup against Croatia. In his farewell message, he expressed gratitude for representing Portugal and pledged to continue supporting the team.