Portugal football great Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a career spanning more than two decades and six World Cup appearances.
The 41-year-old leaves the national team having won a European Championship and established himself as the all-time leading scorer in men's international football.
Ronaldo made the announcement in a lengthy video message on social media, saying it was time to return the No. 7 shirt he had worn for Portugal for 23 years.
"To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team,” he said.
"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.”
His retirement marks the end of a celebrated international career that began before Euro 2004 and concluded following a reported falling-out with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
