What happened: Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed on social media that he will step away from the Portuguese national team following the November international window. The 41-year-old forward stated he will relinquish Portugal's No. 7 shirt after 234 senior international appearances. The announcement follows a period where Ronaldo was provisionally suspended by the Portugal FA.

Why it matters: Ronaldo's departure closes an international career spanning more than two decades, leaving Portugal to transition into the 2026-27 cycle without its long-time captain. His exit vacates the focal point of the squad's attack as the federation prepares for upcoming competitive fixtures. It also concludes his pursuit of extending the all-time men's international scoring benchmark.

What to watch: Portugal will play its final fixtures with Ronaldo on the roster during the November international break before finalizing a reshaped squad for 2027.