Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a decisive step in his soccer career. The player, considered one of the greatest of all time, has officially announced his retirement from Portugal’s national team after a 23-year run representing his country.
During this emotional moment, the soccer star has leaned on the support of his wife, Georgina Rodríguez, who didn’t hesitate to publicly show her solidarity with the father of her children.
© NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThis decision means Cristiano is only stepping away from his national team. He will remain active as a center forward for Al-Nassr FC, the club he has played with since December 2022.
In the early hours of Thursday, November 5, the player shared a video on his social media announcing the news, which immediately shook the internet, sparking reactions from fellow players and extensive coverage from sports media.
“Portuguese people, the day has come to return the number 7 jersey of the national team that belongs to all of us. Today, the time has come to hand it over to the future. It has not been an easy decision, because there are decisions you don’t make only with your head, you also make them with your heart.”
“When I look back and think about everything I experienced with the national team, I don’t just see matches, goals, records, or trophies. I see people, I see emigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt Portugal a little bit closer.”
“There were victories I will never forget, there were defeats that are still hard for me to remember today. I also failed, I also suffered, there were moments when I wasn’t able to give the Portuguese people what they wanted most, but I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal,” said the 41-year-old player, who acknowledged the highs and lows he experienced with his country’s team.
“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, equipment managers, staff members. Many of you never appeared in the photos, but without you, none of those photos would have been possible.”
© FIFA via Getty Images“Today, my journey on the field with the national team comes to an end. I leave with my head held high, proud of the road I’ve traveled and knowing that I gave everything I had for Portugal. The number 7 jersey stays; the pride of having worn it will be mine forever. Portugal will always be inside me. Farewell.”
Georgina Rodríguez’s unconditional support
Under the video Cristiano posted on his social media accounts, dozens of reactions poured in. One of the standouts came from Georgina Rodríguez, who commented using these emojis: “😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”. True to the discretion with which she has always handled everything related to her husband’s professional career, Gio showed her support this way, making it clear that she loves him and will always be by his side, no matter what he decides.
© FilmMagicThe tensions between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus
On September 27, Portugal faced Norway in the UEFA Nations League. Cristiano, who had started in the previous match against Wales, began this game on the bench. Jorge Jesus, the national team’s head coach, kept him warming up for half an hour and, in the end, didn’t send him onto the field. When the match ended with a 2–1 victory for Portugal, Cristiano went straight to the locker room without celebrating with his teammates.
After their time in Oslo, the team, together with Cristiano, traveled to Malmö (Sweden) to train before heading to Denmark for their next match on October 1. Tensions escalated to the point that Cristiano did not train with the squad and, after a press conference in which Jorge Jesus reaffirmed his authority, Cristiano Ronaldo left the training camp without notice and flew from Copenhagen to Madrid.
© FIFA via Getty ImagesDue this situation, a disciplinary file was opened against the star, and he received a 30-day suspension—from September 30 to October 30—as well as a fine of 255 euros.
Just a few days ago, reports claimed Cristiano was on Jesus’s preliminary list of called-up players for the next Nations League games, but on November 5, the Manchester United star announced the end of his time with his country’s national team.
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Portugal’s national team
Portugal’s official Instagram account wrote: “Thank you for everything, Cristiano ❤️ 🐐”.
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, Neymar Jr., James Rodríguez, Memo Ochoa, Vozinha, Vinicius Junior, among other players, expressed their admiration for Cristiano, recognizing his tireless work with Portugal’s national team.
His current club, Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, also joined the messages of support as he bids farewell to Portugal’s national team.
© AFP via Getty Images“This is not just a chapter, it’s history you helped shape. You are an icon for the entire world, not only for Portugal. Portugal is in your heart, and you are in the hearts of the world. A page has turned, but there is still more history for us to write together in your home, Al Nassr,” read their message.
