It's the end of an era for Portugal soccer. Cristiano Ronaldo announced Thursday he's retiring from international competition after 23 years with Portugal, finishing his run with the most international goals (146) and appearances (234) all-time.
While Ronaldo never delivered a World Cup to Portugal, he led his team to the doorstep with a semi-finals run in 2006. His longevity was unprecedented, as this summer he became the first player to score in six different World Cups.
Ronaldo gave a lengthy speech announcing why it was time to walk away now.
"To the Portuguese people," Ronaldo said. "The day has come for me to hand back to No. 7 shirt of our national team," he said in the letter. "I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years, I had
the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, of defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world. Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future.”
In honor of Ronaldo's retirement from international soccer, here are his top seven goals for Portugal, ranked.
7. Ronaldo pulls off bicycle kick vs. Poland -- 2024 UEFA Nations League
6. Ronaldo scores unreal back-heel goal vs. Hungary -- UEFA Euro 2016
5. Ronaldo secures first international hat trick in pouring rain -- 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
4. Ronaldo reaches 100-goal mark in international play -- 2021 UEFA Nations League
3. Ronaldo scores first international goal -- UEFA Euro 2004
2. Ronaldo becomes first player to score in six World Cups -- 2026 World Cup
1. Ronaldo secures draw against Spain with free kick -- 2018 World Cup
Take a bow, Cristiano. It's been a remarkable career.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Cristiano Ronaldo's top 7 international goals for Portugal, ranked
