Ronaldo bids farewell to Portugal national team: 'If I brought you joy, then it was all not in vain'
41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo has announced the end of his 23-year career with the Portugal national team and recorded a video message to the fans.
The forward said he is returning the jersey with the number seven and passing it on to the next generation. According to him, the decision was not easy: 'Such decisions are made not only with the head, but also with the heart.'
Looking back on his years with the national team, Ronaldo recalls the people first, not the goals and trophies. He acknowledged that the team had tough defeats and that he was not always able to give the country what it expected, but he never gave up. 'Goals are forgotten, trophies sit in museums, records are broken. What remains is a place in people’s hearts,' he said.
The captain thanked his teammates, coaching staff, medical team, and family. He promised to continue supporting the national team and celebrating its victories with his signature 'Siuuu.'
'Thank you for helping the dream of a boy from Madeira come true. The seven remains. Portugal is forever in me,' Ronaldo concluded his message.
