When he left the national team in 2006, the shirt and the side became his. Under his influence Portugal stopped being a gifted team and became one that arrives at every tournament expecting to contend. That night in July 2016 gave Portugal its first European Championship. At half-time he pulled himself together to encourage team-mates. Before extra time, still limping, he told Eder he would score.
In 2025 he lifted a second Nations League at an age when most players have retired. After a difficult 2026 World Cup, much was made of him still starting up front when statistically that was his best period.
A generation of players came through a dressing room where he set the standard. No one has scored more goals for a national side, and no one has pulled on the Portugal shirt more times.
During extra time he stood in the technical area giving orders until the fourth official sent him back. When the final whistle went he could not hold back the tears; the image of the teenager crying on his own pitch travelled everywhere.
Leo Messi left Argentina less than a month ago with a nation applauding him. Ronaldo has gone another way, and it was always going to be the case.
Even so, the way it ended left a bitter taste. He was no longer an automatic starter, and he has never handled that well.
He arrived at camp as a young player with a baseball cap on backwards, enormous sunglasses and headphones loud enough to be heard from a distance.
The 41-year-old’s exit followed a fallout with coach Jorge Jesus that was settled with a 30-day sanction already served and a fine of 255 euros. Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football after 23 years with Portugal, ending a record of 146 goals in 234 appearances.