Cristiano Ronaldo announced this Thursday his definitive retirement from the Portuguese football team with a publication on social networks in which he stated that “the day has come to return the team’s seven jersey.”
“The day has come to return the seven jersey to all of our national teams. I never felt like it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of dressing it“He began by saying in a video on Instagram that lasts about five minutes in which he appears reading a letter while images of his sports career are shown.
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The Madeiran made this announcement after having been sanctioned by the Disciplinary Council of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) with a 30-day suspension and a fine of 255 eurosthe minimum provided in the regulations, for having left the concentration in Portugal on September 30.
The Madeiran made this announcement after having been sanctioned. Photo:EFE
“Today the time has come to hand (the shirt) to the future. It was not an easy decision because there are decisions that are not made with just the head. They are taken with the head, but also with the heart. A path that began in August 2003 ends,” said the until now captain of the ‘quinas’.
And he added: “During my entire career in the national team, I tried to overcome my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history. “I was always demanding of myself, I always wanted more, I always believed we could go further and I gave everything I had for this shirt.”
During the video, the international recalled his 23-year career, making reference to his records and trophiesand also to the Portuguese and foreign fans and his teammates.
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“I had the privilege of being your captain; but a captain does not walk alone and you are part of my history,” he stated, recalling that the country needs “players who never give up” and new generations who “believe that it is possible to go where no one has gone.”
He argued that he will carry that feeling with him for the rest of his life. Photo:EFE
He insisted that “there are no clubs”, colors, classes, professions or opinions, but rather “there is only one passion: Portugal.”
In that sense, he argued that he will carry that feeling for the rest of his life.
“Today my journey on the field with the national team ends. I leave with my head held highproud of the path traveled and with the awareness of having given everything he had for Portugal. But I will never stop being one of you; I will continue to suffer, vibrate and celebrate every victory of Portugal,” he emphasized.
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By way of closing the video, he thanked the fans and those responsible for football for believing in him and allowing him to “live a dream that began when he was just a child in Madeira.”
“Portugal will always be in me. See you forever. Cristiano Ronaldo,” he ends by saying.
Cristiano Ronaldo was recently sanctioned
Cristiano Ronaldo was recently sanctioned for having left the Portugal camp on September 30but it was rumored that he was going to be included in the pre-list of those called up for Portugal’s next matches drawn up by the coach, Jorge Jesus.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, left due to disagreements with Jesus, after not having been lined up in the match against Norway in Oslo on the 27th of that same month (1-2).
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As the player advanced in a statement, The reason for the discrepancy was that Jesus had warmed him up for half an hour and then did not take him out on the field.
The Federation wants to pay tribute to Cristiano after his farewell to the Portuguese team
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) This Thursday he expressed his “deep gratitude” to Cristiano Ronaldo, after the announcement of his retirement from the national team, and expressed his “firm will” to organize a tribute worthy of his career, after 23 years defending the Portugal shirt.
In a statement, the entity chaired by Pedro Proença thanked the race. Photo:EFE
In a statement, the entity chaired by Pedro Proença thanked the race “absolutely extraordinary” of the 41-year-old forward, whom he described as an “inspiring leader”, “example of dedication” and “ultimate symbol of the soul” of the Portuguese team.
The Federation highlighted his 234 international matches and 146 goals, two world records in men’s football, as well as his contribution to the three titles won by Portugal during his career: the 2016 Euro Cup and the 2019 and 2025 Nations Leagues.
“Every drop of sweat, every decisive goal and every bracelet honored on the field was a reflection of his unconditional love for our jersey”said the FPF, which stressed that the footballer’s legacy “transcends the four lines” of the field of play.
The organization assured that Ronaldo raised the name of Portugal throughout the world and inspired generations of young footballers, and maintained that it does not want his farewell to occur without due recognition.
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““The Portuguese Football Federation refuses to let this farewell take place without due tribute,” he stated in his statement.
For this reason, he expressed his willingness to “organize, plan, participate and actively collaborate” in a tribute in which fans and the country can applaud and celebrate the player’s career again.
The FPF did not specify when or where this event could be held.
“Thank you for everything, CAPTAIN! This will always be your home! Let’s go for goal 1,000!” concluded the statement, referring to the striker’s goal of reaching a thousand goals in his professional career.
GERALDINE BAJONERO VÁSQUEZ
Journalist Latest News from EL TIEMPO
*With information from EFE
