Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international duty with Portugal, ending a remarkable 23-year career with the national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared his retirement from international football, marking the end of an era for Portugal. The 41-year-old forward revealed the news in an emotional Instagram video, where he reflected on his journey since debuting for the national team in 2003.

Throughout his time with Portugal, Ronaldo set impressive records, scoring 146 goals and earning 234 caps, both of which are unparalleled achievements. His contributions to the team included leading Portugal to victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.

Ronaldo's decision comes after he left the Portugal camp prior to a Nations League match against Denmark, where he was informed he would not be starting. In his announcement, he expressed deep gratitude for the privilege of wearing the number seven shirt, stating, "I never felt it belonged to me alone... Today the time has come to pass it on to the future."

This decision was not made lightly, as he acknowledged the emotional weight behind it. Ronaldo's impact on the game and his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history will certainly be remembered.

As Ronaldo steps away from international competition, the focus will shift to the next generation of Portuguese talent who will carry on the national team's legacy. While he leaves big shoes to fill, fans will always treasure the memories and moments he brought to the pitch for Portugal.