The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), led by its president, Pedro Proença, has announced plans to organise a special farewell for Cristiano Ronaldo following the 41-year-old forward’s decision to retire from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 23-year career with Portugal.

The federation confirmed its intention to honour the Al-Nassr forward in a statement released on Thursday, expressing gratitude for his contributions to Portuguese football and promising an opportunity for supporters to celebrate his achievements.

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In a message directed at the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, the FPF declared: “This will always be your home.”

The tribute will recognise a player whose influence has extended beyond goals and trophies, helping shape Portugal’s football identity and inspiring generations of supporters and aspiring footballers.

Ronaldo announced his international retirement earlier on Thursday through a video shared on social media, saying he was ready to hand over Portugal’s iconic number seven shirt after the November international break.

“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision,” he said, reflecting on the significance of representing his country for more than two decades.

He added that his journey with the national team, which began in August 2003, had changed his life forever.

Ronaldo leaves international football with 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, making him the leading goalscorer and most-capped player in men’s international football.

His international journey began with his senior debut against Kazakhstan on August 20, 2003, when he was still establishing himself as one of the promising young talents in European football.

He first represented Portugal at the 2004 European Championship, where the hosts reached the final before losing 1-0 to Greece.

Over the years, Ronaldo developed into the team’s most recognisable figure, eventually becoming captain and leading the country through some of the most memorable moments in its football history.

His greatest international achievement came at Euro 2016 in France, where Portugal secured their first major international trophy with a 1-0 extra-time victory over the hosts.

Although Ronaldo was forced off injured during the final, he remained actively involved in encouraging his teammates from the touchline as Portugal completed the historic victory.

He subsequently captained Portugal to their first UEFA Nations League title in 2019, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.

The country added a second Nations League crown in 2025, further strengthening Ronaldo’s legacy within the national team.

His individual achievements have also been remarkable. He became the first male footballer to score at six FIFA World Cup tournaments, extending his international goalscoring record at the 2026 edition.

Ronaldo’s retirement announcement follows a difficult period involving his relationship with Portugal’s head coach, Jorge Jesus.

Tensions emerged during the September international window after Ronaldo was left on the bench against Norway, with the disagreement eventually resulting in his departure from the national team’s training camp.

The episode attracted considerable attention, particularly after the forward’s involvement in the subsequent discussions surrounding his role in the team.

However, his retirement announcement focused largely on gratitude, personal reflection and the significance of representing Portugal.

In his farewell message, Ronaldo acknowledged his family, teammates, coaches, technical staff and Portuguese supporters, including those living outside the country.

He also reflected on the emotional connection between football and national identity, noting that representing Portugal had given him the opportunity to bring happiness and pride to millions of people.

The Portuguese Football Federation similarly acknowledged his wider influence, describing him as an exceptional athlete, an inspirational leader and a symbol of the national team.

The federation said its planned tribute would give supporters another opportunity to applaud and celebrate a player who had contributed significantly to the country’s sporting history.

Although his international career has ended, Ronaldo is expected to continue playing professional football with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

The forward also remains focused on reaching 1,000 official career goals, a milestone that would add another remarkable achievement to an already historic career.

According to figures reported on Thursday, he has scored 985 goals across his professional career, leaving him 15 short of the landmark.

His retirement also brings an end to an international journey that spanned six World Cup appearances and numerous European Championship campaigns.

For Portugal, the challenge will now be to build the next generation of national team leaders while preserving the standards established during Ronaldo’s era.

The federation’s planned farewell will therefore serve as more than a celebration of individual records. It will provide an opportunity for the country to acknowledge the commitment, achievements and lasting influence of a player who carried its colours for more than two decades.