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Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international football after 23 remarkable years with Portugal has attracted emotional tributes from active and former footballers
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Portugal teammates and former colleagues paid heartfelt tributes to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, with Bruno Fernandes thanking him for the inspiration.
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Several football stars, including Vinicius Junior, Gonçalo Ramos, Diogo Dalot, Fábio Silva and Portugal women’s international Jéssica Silva, also acknowledged Ronaldo’s remarkable contribution to Portuguese football.
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Portugal’s political and football authorities, including President Antonio Jose Seguro, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, and former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa joined the tributes
November 05, (THEWILL) – Reactions have continued to trail Cristiano Ronaldo‘s retirement from international duty on Thursday with footballers, fans and even politicians paying him emotional tributes on social media.
The 41-year-old announced his decision on social media on Thursday, bringing an end to his remarkable 23-year career with the national team.
The announcement has attracted reactions from several active and former footballers, who celebrated his achievements and influence on the game, while wishing him well in his future endeavors.
Here are some of the football stars who have reacted to Ronaldo’s retirement:
Neymar: The former Barcelona forward took to his Instagram account to congratulate Ronaldo.
Neymar described the Portuguese captain as a legend, writing “Lenda” alongside a clapping emoji in the comment section of his Instagram post.
Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes expressed gratitude to Ronaldo for the inspiration he provided in his career.
He wrote: “Thank you for the inspiration. It was a great privilege to share great moments in the national team with my childhood idol.”
Former Portugal defender Pepe, who played alongside Ronaldo in the national team and at Real Madrid, appreciated Ronaldo on X.
He wrote: “It was more than football. Thank you for everything, Cris.”
Another Portuguese defender, Diogo Dalot, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United and in the national team expressed pride in the forward’s achievements.
He wrote: “Orgulho em ti! Obrigado,” Dalot wrote, meaning “Proud of you! Thank you.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also reacted to the announcement, sharing a short but emotional message for his former teammate.
Thank you Cris 🇵🇹❤️
Obrigado!#cristiano #CR7 #ronaldo https://t.co/216qsdQaQa
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) November 5, 2026
He wrote: “It was a movie bro.” Ferdinand played alongside Ronaldo in his first spell at Manchester United.
Portugal forward Gonçalo Ramos expressed his appreciation for Ronaldo’s contributions to Portuguese football.
He wrote: “Obrigado por tudo,” meaning “Thank you for everything.”
Portugal women’s international Jéssica Silva also acknowledged Ronaldo’s contribution to Portuguese football, thanking him for his inspiration and support.
She wrote: “Thank you for inspiring me, for giving me a hand and for everything you have done for our country. Thank you for everything, thank you for so much.”
Former Portugal and Manchester United winger Nani praised Ronaldo for inspiring Portuguese footballers and making the country proud.
Parabéns, mano, por esta caminhada tão bonita! 🙌🏾🇵🇹
Inspiraste-nos a todos e fizeste-nos acreditar que, como portugueses, podíamos ser os melhores do mundo. Fizeste-nos sentir orgulho em nós próprios, como povo e como seleção.
És e serás sempre uma referência para todos nós que te seguimos e que partilhámos contigo momentos maravilhosos, dentro e fora de campo.
A Seleção é o ponto mais alto das nossas carreiras e tenho um enorme orgulho em ter feito parte da tua história. Para mim, és o melhor de todos os tempos, não só pelo jogador que foste e por tudo o que deste à nossa Seleção, mas também pelo que representaste para todos nós.
Mesmo quando muitas vezes discordávamos, estávamos sempre a crescer, a melhorar e a aprender. E isso também te devemos.
Por tudo isso, só posso dizer: muito obrigado, Capitão! O que fizeste por Portugal e por todos nós jamais será esquecido. 🐐👏🏾— Nani (@luisnani) November 5, 2026
He wrote: “For me, you are the best of all time, not only because of the player you were and everything you gave our national team, but also because of what you represented for all of us.”
Portuguese forward Fábio Silva also paid tribute to the former Real Madrid superstar, describing him as the greatest of all time.
He wrote: “O melhor de sempre. Obrigado por tudo,” which translates to “The best. Thank you for everything.”
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior also paid tribute to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, describing him as the number one.
He wrote “Para sempre o número um”, which translates to “Forever number one”, in recognition of Ronaldo’s extraordinary career.
Politicians were not left out with Portugal President and Prime Minister also sending in their tributes.
FIFA also posted a tribute, saying, “Thank you, Ronaldo.”
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Portugal President Antonio Jose Seguro thanked Ronaldo for his contributions to the national team.
He wrote: “On behalf of Portugal, I thank Cristiano Ronaldo for the way he represented the National Team, inspired the Portuguese people and took the name of Portugal around the world.
“I imagine that this is one of the most difficult days of Cristiano Ronaldo’s sporting life, but I am certain that, as has happened so many times, he has the Portuguese people by his side.”
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Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença also paid tribute to the departing captain with a short but emotional message: “Forever our Captain.”
The Prime Minister of Portugal Luis Montenegro also paid tribute to Ronaldo.
@Cristiano,
O B R I G A D O
O que fizeste no campo por Portugal ecoará na eternidade. E, agora, fora do campo continuarás a ser Portugal no mundo. 🇵🇹 https://t.co/GxSjDoPwWU— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegro_PT) November 5, 2026
Montenegro wrote on X: “Thank you. What you have done on the pitch for Portugal will echo throughout eternity. And now, off the pitch, you will continue to be Portugal in the world.”
Former President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa described Ronaldo as the greatest Portuguese footballer, paying tribute to his achievements and influence on the international stage.
He said: “Cristiano Ronaldo was and is the greatest and best of Portugal, Europe and the world.”
Ronaldo scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, winning three major trophies, including the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League trophies.
