Shock as Ronaldo Retires from International DutyShock as Ronaldo Retires from International Duty Lisbon, Portugal – The football world has been rocked by the shock announcement that Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of all time, has decided to retire from international duty with Portugal. The 37-year-old forward, who has represented his country for nearly two decades, made the decision after Portugal’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals by Morocco on Saturday. Ronaldo, who has scored a record 118 goals for Portugal, expressed his gratitude to the fans and the Portuguese Football Federation for their support over the years. “It was an incredible journey that filled me with pride and joy,” Ronaldo said in a statement. “I feel that now is the right time to step aside.” The news of Ronaldo’s retirement has sent shockwaves through the footballing community. He has been an iconic figure for Portugal, leading them to victory at the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa paid tribute to Ronaldo on social media, calling him “a legend and an inspiration to generations.” “Thank you, Cristiano, for all you have given to our country,” Costa wrote. Ronaldo’s decision has sparked speculation about his future at club level. He recently signed a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, but it remains to be seen if he will continue playing at a competitive level. The impact of Ronaldo’s retirement on the Portuguese national team is likely to be significant. He has been their talisman for years, and his leadership and goalscoring prowess will be sorely missed. However, Portugal coach Fernando Santos has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to move forward without Ronaldo. “Cristiano Ronaldo is a legend, but we have a new generation of players who are ready to step up,” Santos said. “We will miss Ronaldo, but we will continue to fight for success.” Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement marks the end of an era for Portuguese football. His legacy as one of the greatest players ever to grace the game will live on long after he has hung up his boots.
