Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal international career concluded amid controversy and mockery, a stark contrast to the respect he garnered during his peak years. His final seasons were viewed by many as a hindrance to the national team's success, marked by age and perceived lack of work rate. After new coach Jorge Jesus restricted his playing time during the UEFA Nations League, Ronaldo departed the squad in protest via private jet, resulting in a 30-day suspension and a fine.
This messy exit capped a career that saw him become Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance maker. Ronaldo inspired Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph, famously directing play from the touchline after an early injury in the final. He holds the records for most international goals (146) and appearances (234), milestones likely to stand the test of time given the gap to nearest competitors.
However, his legacy is complicated by a late-career decline. After being dropped at the 2022 World Cup and failing to score at Euro 2024, he returned for the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, declaring "I'm back!" after scoring, yet performances suggested he was a shadow of his former self. From 2004 to 2018, he was sensationally good, and that peak brilliance is what should define his memory.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing