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FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo on Instagram on Thursday, the day the Portugal captain announced his retirement from the national team.
Infantino wrote that “few players have ever touched the heart of football fans around the world” as Ronaldo did. He described Ronaldo as an extraordinary talent and said the forward achieved milestones that may never be matched.
Infantino noted that Ronaldo is the first player to score at six different FIFA World Cups and the leading scorer in men’s international football. He said Ronaldo’s greatest legacy “goes far beyond records, trophies and goals.”
Infantino added that Ronaldo inspired generations, united millions of fans and carried Portugal’s hopes and pride onto the world’s biggest stages.
He closed the post by thanking Ronaldo for “the passion, the unforgettable moments and the immense contribution” made to football while wearing the “Selecao” shirt, a Portuguese term for the national team. Infantino said Ronaldo’s international career will remain part of football’s history.
Ronaldo, 41, announced his decision in a video message posted on Instagram and X, saying it was time to hand back the number 7 shirt.
He made his Portugal debut as a substitute against Kazakhstan in August 2003. Ronaldo made 234 appearances for the national team, the most in men’s international football, and scored 146 goals.
Ronaldo captained Portugal to the UEFA European Championship title in 2016 and to the UEFA Nations League title in 2019 and 2025.
ESPN reported that the announcement followed a fallout with head coach Jorge Jesus, after Ronaldo left the national team camp in late September.
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