Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal exit: the factors behind an unexpected farewell

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to end his Portugal career at the age of 41, bringing an international journey of more than two decades to a close amid a dispute with manager Jorge Jesus, concerns over his physical condition and a desire to protect his legacy.

The forward, who has repeatedly defied age and broken scoring records, announced his intention to retire from international football after the current international break. His decision ends an era in which he carried Portugal’s ambitions and became one of the defining figures in the country’s football history.

One of the main factors behind the timing appears to be the breakdown in his relationship with Jorge Jesus, Portugal’s current manager. The disagreement began when Ronaldo was left on the bench for the whole match against Norway, despite having been told he could play for about 30 minutes.

Jesus later decided against using him for tactical reasons. Ronaldo reportedly regarded that as a failure to honour their agreement, while the tension increased after the manager spoke to the media in a way that did not match what had been discussed during a private meeting between the two men.

However, the decision is unlikely to be explained solely by that dispute. Ronaldo has achieved major honours with Portugal, including victory at UEFA Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025. He is also the leading scorer in men’s international football, with 146 goals.

At 41, Ronaldo is no longer able to rely on the same physical qualities that allowed him to dominate for so long. Although he remains capable of scoring and influencing matches, sustaining that level at the highest standard has become more demanding with age.

The Portugal captain may also recognise that the next phase of the team’s development will bring stronger competition for places and greater opportunities for younger players. Stepping away now would allow him to end his international career before his performances decline further, while leaving the next generation to take greater responsibility.

Ronaldo also has a personal target still in sight: reaching 1,000 career goals. Achieving that would make him the first player in football history to reach the landmark.

As he approaches his 42nd birthday, managing his fitness and workload has become increasingly important. Retiring from international duty could reduce travel and the demands of international matches, giving him more opportunity to preserve his energy and concentrate on his club commitments while pursuing the 1,000-goal objective.

Ronaldo had been expected to retire after the 2022 World Cup, when Portugal were eliminated by Morocco in the quarter-finals. Instead, he rejected the idea that his international story was over and continued in the hope of contributing more, including at the 2026 World Cup.

That decision allowed him to extend his record-breaking career and help Portugal win the 2025 UEFA Nations League. But after several more years of service, he now appears closer to accepting that the time has come to close the international chapter.