Farewell, legend: Cristiano Ronaldo's 7 best moments with Portugal
After 23 years with the national team, the captain leaves with three titles. Along the way came a duel with Zlatan, a free kick against Spain and a record broken at 41.
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portugal national team on November 5. He was 18 when he made his debut and leaves with 146 goals in 234 games, two records in men's international football. These are his seven best moments with Portugal.
1. 2016 | Portugal's first title
Cristiano Ronaldo was decisive in winning Euro 2016: he scored three goals and provided three assists, highlighted by his brace against Hungary and his goal against Wales in the semifinal.
Although an injury forced him off in the final against France, his leadership from the touchline and his performances throughout the tournament were key to Portugal's first European title.
2. 2013 | Four playoff goals against Zlatan
Ronaldo had scored the only goal of the first leg in Lisbon. In the return leg in Stockholm, Zlatan Ibrahimović scored twice and left Sweden one goal away from the World Cup in Brazil. Ronaldo answered in the 77th and 79th minutes to complete his hat-trick and give Portugal a 3-2 win. All four of Portugal's goals in the 4-2 aggregate were his.
3. 2018 | The free kick that denied Spain
Spain led 3-2 in both teams' opener at Russia 2018. In the 88th minute, Ronaldo curled a free kick over the wall and into the top corner. It was 3-3 and his third goal of the night in Sochi.
4. 2019 | A hat-trick to reach the Nations League final at home
Switzerland were holding on at 1-1 in the Nations League semifinal in Porto. Ronaldo, who had already scored from a free kick, struck in the 88th and 90th minutes for a 3-1 win. Four days later, Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 to win the first edition of the tournament.
5. 2021 | Two headers to pass Ali Daei
Gavin Bazunu saved his penalty and the Republic of Ireland led until the 89th minute. Ronaldo equalized with a header for his 110th goal, moving past Ali Daei as the top scorer in men's international football. Another header in the sixth minute of stoppage time sealed a 2-1 win and took him to 111.
6. 2025 | Spain again, this time with a trophy at stake
Lamine Yamal was 17 and Ronaldo was 40. The Portuguese star scored the 2-2 equalizer in the 61st minute of the Nations League final. Diogo Costa saved Álvaro Morata's penalty in the shootout and Rúben Neves sealed the 5-3 win that gave Ronaldo his third title with Portugal.
7. 2026 | Two records in one afternoon in Houston
Against Uzbekistan on June 23, Ronaldo became the only player to score at six World Cups. His second goal in the 5-0 win took his World Cup tally to ten, passing the nine scored by Eusébio, who had held the Portuguese record since 1966. At 41, he also became the oldest player to score twice in a World Cup match.
The end of an era
Ronaldo scored his first goal for Portugal with a header against Greece at Euro 2004. His last, a penalty against Croatia in Toronto, sparked the comeback in the 2026 World Cup round of 32. Twenty-two years passed between those two goals, and Portugal lifted their first three major trophies with the same captain.
Sources: El Financiero (AP) · 442: los récords ante Uzbekistán · Infobae: Portugal 2-1 Croacia
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Cristiano Ronaldo announces his Portugal retirement: time to hand back the No. 7At 41, the captain announced his farewell after 23 years with the national team, with 146 goals, 234 caps and three titles for Portugal.