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Ronaldo's most iconic moments as he retires from international football

Ronaldo's most iconic moments as he retires from international football

bbc.co.uk 05.11.2026 12:22 10 views
BBC Sport looks at some of the most iconic moments from the career of Cristiano Ronaldo as he retires from international football.

Cristiano Ronaldo says his international career with Portugal is over, meaning the 41-year-old will just play on with Al-Nassr. The main thing driving him on now is hoping to reach an unprecedented 1,000 career goals - he is currently on 985. BBC Sport looks at some of the most iconic moments of a career that has also taken in spells at Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Ronaldo spurred on by 1,000 goals and Portugal glory Ronaldo will not retire until he scores 1,000 goals Untouchable or a support act? Ronaldo's 1,000-goal quest continues After 31 first-team games and five goals for Sporting, Ronaldo caught the eye of Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in 2003, setting up two goals in a 3-1 win in Lisbon. Ronaldo revealed that United boss Alex Ferguson took him into the dressing room afterwards to meet the players.

Five days later he joined the Red Devils for £12m. "After we played Sporting the lads in the dressing room talked about him constantly, and on the plane back from the game they urged me to sign him - that's how highly they rated him," said Ferguson. "He is one of the most exciting young players I've ever seen." Ronaldo won the FA Cup in his first season at United, scoring in the final against Millwall.

But it was in 2006-07 that his career really exploded. He hit 17 Premier League goals, his first season of double figures, was named player of the year and young player of the year - and won his first league title. The following season was even better, winning his first Champions League - scoring in the final - his first European Golden Shoe for top scorer, and another league title.

Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games in his first spell at United, and one was ranked above all the others. He hit an absolute rocket of a shot into the top corner from 40 yards in his homeland against Porto, a goal which took them into the Champions League semi-finals. It won the inaugural Fifa Puskas award for goal of the year.

Months later, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for £80m. Ronaldo's first season at Real Madrid produced no trophies and his second saw just the Copa del Rey won. That final was especially notable because it is the first time Ronaldo had scored the winning goal in a final.

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