Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced his retirement from international football in an emotional message shared across his social media accounts on Thursday. The post confirmed that he was ready to hand over the country’s iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo’s decision comes after 23 years of representing Portugal at the highest level. He has been a key figure for the national side, wearing the number seven jersey that has become synonymous with the team’s success.
In the brief statement, the forward expressed gratitude for the support he has received from fans, teammates and coaches throughout his long career. He indicated that he felt it was the right time to pass the torch to younger players who will carry on the legacy.
While the announcement marks the end of an era for Portuguese football, it also opens the door for emerging talents to step into the spotlight. The national team will now look to its future squad to fill the void left by one of the sport’s most celebrated figures.
Ronaldo’s retirement from international duty does not affect his club career, where he continues to play at the highest level. The announcement was met with widespread admiration and respect from supporters worldwide.
<small>Source: Premium Times Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
