Ali Daei scored 109 goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006, a men's world record many thought might never fall. Ronaldo surpassed it and extended the mark far beyond. The forward will continue to play for Saudi club Al-Nassr. He has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, both world records, since his debut in 2003.
Not every chapter was smooth. He was reportedly angry at being made to warm up in a second half and then left unused, the first time he was an unused substitute for Portugal in a competitive match since 2008. Performances at one tournament drew media criticism over whether he remained a force at international level.
Ronaldo's first season at Real Madrid produced no trophies; his second brought only the Copa del Rey. A later final was notable as the first time he scored the winning goal in a final. United manager Alex Ferguson once took him into the dressing room after a match to meet the players.
He later created further history in 2024 as the first player to score 900 top-level career goals, in a Portugal win over Croatia. He has kept adding to his international tally and finished on 146 goals in 234 caps, also a record for appearances.
The one thing long missing from his CV had been major international success until that 2016 title. In the final he went off injured in tears in the first half and took on an unofficial coaching role from the sidelines.
Ronaldo said of the national jersey:"I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.".
The Portugal Football Federation said it would not let the farewell pass without a due tribute. In a statement it expressed a firm desire to organise, plan, participate and collaborate in a fitting celebration of his career so fans and the country could applaud him again. Cristiano Ronaldo said his international career with Portugal is over, ending 23 years in the national shirt at the age of 41.
The federation framed the coming tribute as a chance for the country to celebrate the player who, it said, had given so much.