Cristiano Ronaldo ‘to retire’ from international duty after Portugal camp exit | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo is reported to have decided to step away from Portugal duty, with O Jogo saying he has made an irreversible call not to play for the national team again. The friendly against Wales at José Alvalade would have been his last after he left the camp in Copenhagen.

The move followed his public confirmation, a day before the match, that he was departing the Portugal camp. He spoke with Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, after the head coach’s press conference, then announced his decision on social media.

In that message he said he had chosen to leave the national-team set-up. He added he would explain his reasons to the Portuguese public in due course.

Ronaldo also wished Portugal and every team-mate well for the games ahead.

His departure would close a remarkable chapter for Portugal. He is the country’s record appearance maker with 234 caps and top scorer with 146 goals, and helped win Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League.

He had previously considered ending his international career before opting to continue, and the report described this decision as final.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”