Cristiano Ronaldo retires as the Donald Trump of football

Ronaldo retires from international football weeks after walking out of Portugal camp, ending a 234-cap career marked by records but increasingly divisive behaviour.

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, ending a 24-year Portugal career that saw him become the nation's record goalscorer with 146 goals across 234 caps. His departure comes weeks after he walked out of camp following non-selection for a match against Norway, earning a 30-day ban and a £215 fine from the Portuguese Federation.

The 41-year-old's final international tournament was the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Portugal reached the last 16 before losing to Spain. Despite playing alongside world-class talent including left-back João Cancelo and midfielders Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo's presence was described as increasingly immobile and divisive.

His retirement marks the end of an era defined by extraordinary athleticism and record-breaking achievements, yet one increasingly overshadowed by controversy and ego. Portugal, now managed by Jorge Jesus, have begun moving forward with younger talent, having won Euro 2016 with Ronaldo playing only 25 minutes of the final before dominating the touchline celebrations.