Football world pays tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to bring his Portugal national team career to an end has sparked a wave of reactions from across the football world.
At the age of 41, Ronaldo has brought an extraordinary 23-year journey with Portugal to a close, retiring as the player with the most appearances and goals in men's international football history, with 234 caps and 146 goals, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.
One of the first reactions came from Neymar. The Brazilian superstar left a brief comment on Ronaldo's post, describing the Portuguese icon simply as a "Legend". (gulfnews.com)
An emotional tribute also came from Pepe, Ronaldo's close friend and long-time teammate at both Portugal and Real Madrid. The former Portuguese defender summed up their shared journey with the words: "It was more than football. Thank you for everything, Cris." (rtp.pt)
Manchester United, one of the most important clubs in Ronaldo's career, also dedicated a special message to their former star, congratulating him on an extraordinary international career.
Tributes and congratulations also came from FIFA World Cup, which thanked Ronaldo for everything he has contributed to football's biggest stage.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand highlighted the incredible statistics behind Ronaldo's international career, recalling the Portuguese captain's 234 appearances and 146 goals.
The strongest institutional response came from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), which described Ronaldo as an inspirational leader, an example of dedication and a symbol of the spirit of the Portugal national team.
The FPF also announced that it wants to organise a special tribute to the legendary captain, saying that his farewell should not pass without the recognition he deserves.
Ronaldo gave Portugal some of the greatest moments in its football history, leading the national team to victory at Euro 2016 and in two editions of the UEFA Nations League, in 2019 and 2025.
He also appeared in six FIFA World Cups and scored in all six tournaments, achieving another remarkable record in his historic career. (fifa.com)
Cristiano Ronaldo was never just a footballer for Portugal. For more than two decades, he carried the dreams, pressure and hopes of an entire nation, turning the Portuguese number 7 shirt into a symbol recognised around the world.
He leaves the national team behind with a legacy that will be extremely difficult to replicate. Ronaldo was the central figure of an era that forever changed the history of Portuguese football.
The time may have come for him to pass the shirt on to the next generation, but everything Cristiano Ronaldo has given to Portugal will remain part of the nation's history forever.
Photo: Instagram/cristiano
