Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41, bringing an end to his 23-year career with the national team.
The forward made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals, setting a world record.
His decision comes after his performances began to decline in recent years. He also had a disagreement with national coach Jorge Jesus last month after the manager refused to play him in a Nations League match.
Ronaldo reportedly walked out of the team’s camp following the incident and received a 30-day suspension.
Despite rumours that he would return to the national team, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his retirement in an Instagram video on Thursday.
Addressing Portuguese supporters, he said: “To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,”
He added: “I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world,”
“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone — they are also made with the heart.
“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end,” he added.
Ronaldo’s biggest achievement with Portugal was winning the 2016 European Championship in France, although he was forced off with an injury during the final.
He scored three goals at this year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but Portugal were eliminated in the Round of 16 by eventual champions Spain.
