Ouagadougou:Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international football following a contentious standoff with the Portuguese national team.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the 41-year-old Portuguese legend concluded his 23-year international career amidst tensions with the team's technical staff and a particularly turbulent final gathering. The decision follows weeks of turmoil, sparked by a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus over promised playing time, which led Ronaldo to leave the team's training camp in September after not being used as agreed against Norway.

The incident resulted in disciplinary action from the Portuguese Football Federation, including a 30-day suspension and a fine despite Ronaldo's public apology. In his retirement announcement, Ronaldo expressed that the decision was difficult and filled with emotion and gratitude towards his country. He leaves behind an extraordinary international record of 234 caps and 146 goals, alongside a Euro 2016 victory and two Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

Ronaldo's retirement marks the end of a significant era in Portuguese football. While the circumstances of his departure cast a shadow over the conclusion of his international career, they do not diminish his legacy as a symbol of Portugal's footballing ambitions and national pride.