Manchester United, Juventus, Bruno Fernandes Pay Tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo After Portugal Retirement

Posted : 06 November 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo has received an outpouring of tributes from former clubs, teammates and football figures following his decision to retire from international football with Portugal after an extraordinary 23-year career.

The 41-year-old announced his retirement on Thursday, bringing an end to his time with the national team, where he established himself as the leading goalscorer and appearance maker in men's international football. Ronaldo finished his Portugal career with 146 goals in 234 appearances, setting records that have made him one of the country's greatest sporting icons.

Manchester United, where Ronaldo enjoyed two spells, was among the first clubs to acknowledge his achievements. The English side congratulated the forward on an outstanding international career and wished him well in retirement, accompanying its message with an image celebrating his status as one of football's greatest players.

Sporting CP, where Ronaldo began his professional journey, also expressed its appreciation, describing him as a permanent part of Portugal's football history. Juventus, another of his former clubs, joined the celebrations by recognising his remarkable achievements in the national colours.

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Ronaldo's former teammates also shared emotional messages. Manchester United and Portugal captain Bruno Fernandes thanked the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for his inspiration, describing playing alongside his childhood idol as a tremendous privilege.

Former Portugal defender Pepe highlighted the significance of their relationship, explaining that Ronaldo's contribution went beyond football. Other notable figures, including Neymar and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, also joined the tributes, celebrating the Portuguese forward's influence and legacy.

The Portuguese Football Federation also acknowledged Ronaldo's contribution to the national team, praising his leadership, dedication and influence on generations of supporters and aspiring footballers. The federation indicated that it intends to organise an official tribute to honour his remarkable service to the country.

Although his international career has ended, Ronaldo is expected to continue playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League as he pursues the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals. He is currently 15 goals short of reaching that target.

His retirement announcement followed a difficult period involving Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo had reportedly become frustrated after being left on the bench for an entire match during the previous international break, leading to a disagreement and his departure from the national team's training camp. The Portuguese federation subsequently sanctioned him for his conduct.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his departure, Ronaldo leaves behind an extraordinary international legacy. His achievements include captaining Portugal to the 2016 European Championship and winning two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, ensuring his place in the history of Portuguese football.

Manchester United, Juventus, Bruno Fernandes Pay Tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo After Portugal Retirement

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