Cristiano Ronaldo has officially announced his retirement from international football, concluding a remarkable 23-year journey representing Portugal. The 41-year-old forward, currently with Al Nassr, recently experienced a rift with Portugal's manager Jorge Jesus after being an unused substitute in a match against Norway.

This retirement marks the end of an era, as Ronaldo joins fellow legend Lionel Messi, who has also stepped away from international duty. Together, they have shaped modern football and their departures leave a significant void in the sport.

In an emotional video message shared on social media, Ronaldo stated:

“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone... Today the time has come to pass it on to the future.”

Ronaldo ends his international career with an impressive 146 goals in 324 caps, leading Portugal to victory at Euro 2016.

Looking ahead, Ronaldo remains focused on achieving a personal milestone, currently sitting at 985 total career goals. With his eyes set on reaching 1000, he continues to perform at a high level in the Saudi Pro League. As he approaches 42 in February, the football world watches closely, considering this may be the twilight of his illustrious career.

Meanwhile, Messi, now 39, continues his journey in the MLS with Inter Miami, prompting speculation about how long he can keep pace with Ronaldo’s remarkable goal tally.