Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from Portugal National Team in Social Media Video

Legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement Thursday from international play with the Portuguese National Team.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo revealed the news in a post on social media, ending a run that saw him appear in 234 matches for Portugal since 2003:

According to Reuters , Ronaldo said, "It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart. If I ever made you happy, if one ‌of ⁠my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it."

Ronaldo's retirement from international competition comes on the heels of a recent spat with the Portuguese National Team and its head coach Jorge Jesus.

Per Jessica Hopkins of The Athletic, Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp early after not being used in a UEFA Nations League match against Norway in September.

Ronaldo was fined €255 and given a 30-day suspension from the national team for his actions.

Last month, Ronaldo issued a statement in which he apologized, but noted that Jesus "broke his word" to him by not playing him against Norway.

While Ronaldo said at the time that he would remain available to play for Portugal moving forward, that is no longer the case.

Ronaldo retires as one of the most-decorated international players of all time, as his 234 international matches played and 146 goals scored are both records:

While Ronaldo was never able to lead Portugal to a FIFA World Cup triumph, he did help his country win the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League on two occasions.

Ronaldo played in his final World Cup this past summer, scoring three goals for a Portugal side that fell to Spain in the round of 16.

With nearly 1,000 career goals for club and country, Ronaldo is the most prolific goal scorer in the history of world football.

Although his retirement from the Portuguese National Team closes a major chapter in his career, Ronaldo continues to play at the club level for Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.