Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an extraordinary 23-year career representing the Portugal national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo brings his Portugal journey to an end.

The 41-year-old forward made the announcement on Thursday, November 5, 2026, through an emotional message shared on social media, confirming that the time had come to hand over Portugal’s iconic number seven shirt to the next generation.

In his farewell message, Ronaldo reflected on his journey with the national team, describing representing Portugal as one of the greatest privileges of his life.

“Portugal will always be a part of me,” he said, expressing gratitude to the supporters, teammates, coaches and everyone who contributed to his remarkable international career.

Ronaldo led Portugal to its historic European Championship victory.

Ronaldo made his international debut in August 2003 and leaves the national team as its most decorated goalscorer and appearance-maker. He recorded 234 appearances and 146 goals, setting all-time men’s international records in both categories.

His international career included several historic achievements, most notably captaining Portugal to its first major international trophy at the 2016 European Championship.

The iconic number seven shirt passes to a new generation.

He also helped the country secure UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, further cementing his place among Portugal’s greatest sporting figures.

Ronaldo’s international journey also included appearances at six FIFA World Cups, an unprecedented achievement in men’s football. His participation in the 2026 tournament brought another chapter to a career defined by longevity and remarkable consistency.

The announcement comes after tensions between Ronaldo and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus following a disagreement over his involvement in the national team. Ronaldo had previously left the team’s training camp and received a disciplinary suspension and financial penalty.

Despite ending his international career, Ronaldo is expected to continue playing club football for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

Portugal supporters bid farewell to their legendary captain.

His retirement marks the end of an era for Portuguese football. For millions of supporters around the world, the number seven shirt will forever be associated with a player whose goals, leadership and achievements transformed Portugal’s presence on the international stage.

As a new generation prepares to take responsibility for the national team, Ronaldo leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match.

Sources: Reuters, FIFA and Associated Press.

Aston Villa have withdrawn their threat of legal action against former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher following his public apology over controversial remarks directed at the club and its supporters.

The decision brings an end to a dispute that escalated after Carragher made comments about Villa manager Unai Emery and the possibility of him taking charge of Manchester United.

The controversy began during an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, where Carragher discussed speculation surrounding Emery’s potential future at Old Trafford amid uncertainty over Manchester United’s managerial situation.

During the discussion, Carragher suggested that Emery could be attracted to managing a club with Manchester United’s stature, arguing that football has a hierarchy in which bigger clubs can attract players and managers from smaller ones.

He also remarked that Aston Villa would never be Manchester United, a statement that angered sections of the Villa fanbase.

Carragher subsequently intensified the controversy by telling Villa supporters to “shut up” after facing criticism over his assessment.

The comments prompted a strong response from Aston Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris, who announced on Friday that the club intended to pursue legal action against the pundit over what it described as unacceptable insults directed at the institution and its supporters.

However, Carragher moved to defuse the situation with a public apology on Saturday.

In his statement, the former England international acknowledged that his choice of words had been inappropriate, describing his language as “clumsy and wrong”.

He maintained that his remarks were intended to be tongue-in-cheek but accepted that they had not been received in that manner.

Carragher also extended his apology to Aston Villa, the club’s owners and its supporters.

Following the apology, Villa decided not to proceed with the threatened legal action. The club had not formally initiated court proceedings before withdrawing the threat.

The dispute has once again highlighted the tensions that can arise between football clubs, supporters and television pundits over public commentary.

Under Emery, Aston Villa have established themselves as a competitive force in English and European football, making the club’s status and ambitions an increasingly sensitive subject among supporters.

For Carragher, the apology appears to have brought the public disagreement to a close, while Villa can now turn its attention back to its footballing commitments.

The club is scheduled to face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, November 3.

Harry Kane has indicated that winning the UEFA Champions League would mean more to him than receiving the prestigious Ballon d’Or, underlining his determination to achieve major team success in European football.

The England captain has enjoyed an outstanding career as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers, earning individual recognition for his goalscoring ability and consistency. However, the Champions League remains one of the major trophies he would love to add to his collection.

Kane’s reported preference highlights the importance he places on collective achievement rather than individual accolades. While the Ballon d’Or recognises the world’s outstanding individual footballer, the Champions League represents the ultimate prize in European club competition.

For the Bayern Munich striker, lifting the European trophy would represent a significant milestone in his career and provide another opportunity to cement his legacy among football’s elite.

Michael Carrick has described the situation surrounding his side as “crazy” but insists he is looking forward to the upcoming clash against Roma.

The former Manchester United midfielder says he is embracing the challenge ahead as preparations continue for the important encounter against the Italian side.

Carrick’s comments suggest that, despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the team, his attention remains firmly on the football and the opportunity to deliver a positive result.

The Roma fixture is expected to provide a significant test, with both sides looking to make an impression. Carrick will be hoping his players approach the match with confidence, discipline and determination.

However, the pressure surrounding Carrick is growing. Manchester United head into the match having gone nine games without a victory in all competitions, increasing questions about the manager’s future at Old Trafford. Their poor run has also affected their position in the Premier League and Champions League standings.

Carrick, though, has refused to allow speculation about his future to distract him from the immediate task. He believes the team has the quality and commitment needed to turn its season around.

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who joined Carrick at the pre-match press conference, also acknowledged the difficult campaign but expressed confidence that one victory could help change the team’s fortunes.

The encounter against Roma therefore represents more than another Champions League fixture for United. It offers an opportunity to end their disappointing run, restore confidence among supporters and ease the pressure on their manager.

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has agreed to give members of its ruling council access to key documents concerning its controversial and abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors.

The decision follows mounting pressure from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which has demanded greater transparency over the proposal and the decision-making process surrounding it.

Infantino Faces Questions Over Abandoned World Cup Investment Plan

The proposed initiative, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was reportedly designed to attract private investment by selling a portion of FIFA’s commercial rights, including those connected to the World Cup. The plan was abandoned earlier this year following strong opposition from European football authorities.

FIFA Opens Confidential Documents for Council Inspection

According to reports, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström informed council members that they would be allowed to inspect relevant documents at the organisation’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. However, access will be subject to strict confidentiality procedures, and council members must register their interest within two weeks.

UEFA Intensifies Pressure on FIFA Over Financial Transparency

The development comes after UEFA set November 2 as a deadline for FIFA to respond to questions concerning the abandoned investment proposal and wider governance issues involving FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

UEFA has expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided so far, arguing that important questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding how the proposal was developed and why FIFA’s council was not adequately involved from the beginning.

FIFA Council Members to Review Abandoned Investment Proposal

The European governing body has also raised concerns about transparency, financial decisions and other aspects of Infantino’s leadership. It has sought supporting documents and further explanations as pressure grows for governance reforms within FIFA.

FIFA, however, has maintained that the abandoned proposal could not have proceeded without the required approvals from its council and member associations. The organisation has also indicated that legal considerations and other commitments have affected its ability to respond fully within UEFA’s requested timeframe.

The controversy comes at a politically sensitive period for Infantino, who is expected to seek another term as FIFA president in March 2027.

With the presidential nomination deadline approaching, the dispute could further intensify divisions between FIFA’s leadership and European football authorities.

The key question now is whether the documents made available in Zurich will provide sufficient answers to the concerns surrounding the abandoned proposal.