Ronaldo Retires From Portugal: His Most Iconic Moments

The curtain has fallen on one of international football’s greatest careers. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, says his Portugal story is over, leaving Al-Nassr as his only stage. With 985 career goals and 1,000 in sight, here are the moments that built a legend.

Ronaldo Calls Time on Portugal

Ronaldo’s decision means his focus now shifts entirely to club football in Saudi Arabia. The driving force is simple: becoming the first player to reach 1,000 career goals. He currently sits 15 short of that mark.

He leaves Portugal as the all-time record scorer in men’s international football and the most capped player ever. Those two records may stand for a very long time.

From Sporting to Old Trafford

The friendly that changed everything

Ronaldo had played just 31 first-team games for Sporting, scoring five goals, when Manchester United came calling. In a 2003 pre-season friendly in Lisbon, he set up two goals in a 3-1 win. Five days later he signed for £12m.

Sir Alex Ferguson said his players urged him to sign Ronaldo on the flight home. "He is one of the most exciting young players I’ve ever seen," Ferguson said.

Trophies and a Puskas rocket

He won the FA Cup in his first season, then exploded in 2006-07 with 17 Premier League goals and a first league title. The next year brought his first Champions League, a goal in the final and the European Golden Shoe.

His 40-yard thunderbolt against Porto won the inaugural Fifa Puskas award. It remains the only Champions League goal to take that prize.

Real Madrid: Where Records Fell

Clasico glory and a club record

After a £80m move to Real Madrid, Ronaldo scored the winner in the 2011 Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. It was the first time he had scored the winning goal in a final. He rose at the far post to head home Angel di Maria’s cross in extra time.

In October 2015 he became Real’s all-time top scorer, reaching 324 goals in 310 games. He would finish with 450 goals in 438 games.

Kings of Europe

Ronaldo became the first player to win five Champions League titles, lifting the trophy in 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. He also became the first to score 100 Champions League goals, with a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in 2017.

His bicycle kick against Juventus in 2018 was so spectacular that even the Juve fans stood to applaud. It is regarded by many as one of the greatest goals the competition has seen.

Euro 2016 and the Missing Piece

International success was the one gap on his CV. It was filled in 2016 when Portugal beat hosts France 1-0 in the final in Paris. Ronaldo went off injured in tears in the first half, then became an unofficial coach on the touchline.

He was named in the team of the tournament after three goals and three assists. Portugal are still waiting for a first World Cup.

Ballon d’Or and the Messi Rivalry

In 2017 Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d’Or, equalling Lionel Messi’s record at the time. Messi later added three more, winning their personal duel 8-5.

Ronaldo also broke Ali Daei’s international goals record in 2021 with two late headers against the Republic of Ireland. In 2024 he became the first player to reach 900 top-level career goals.

The 1,000-Goal Quest

Ronaldo has scored five goals for Sporting, 145 for Manchester United, 450 for Real Madrid, 101 for Juventus, 138 for Al-Nassr and 146 for Portugal. That adds up to 985.

Messi sits second on the all-time list with 931, so Ronaldo cannot afford to wait too long. With Portugal behind him, the 1,000 mark is now his only target.