“We are speaking about our eternal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Our captain announced yesterday that he would be bringing his time with the national team to an end. It is a decision that I, the manager and everyone at the Portuguese Football Federation naturally respect.
I want to begin by expressing, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, our deepest and everlasting gratitude to Cristiano Ronaldo for everything he has done for us, for the Federation, for the national team and for Portugal.
We all recognise the extraordinary career of the greatest player in the history of Portuguese football.
The way he has honoured our flag and our country makes him much more than an international footballer. Cristiano Ronaldo has been an inspiring leader, an example of dedication and the greatest symbol of the spirit of our national team.
Throughout an unparalleled international career, he made 284 appearances and scored 146 goals. He took Portugal’s name to every corner of the world, broke records and led our national team to achievements that will remain part of our history forever.
For more than two decades, he was Portugal’s greatest ambassador to the world.
Cristiano demonstrated his love for Portugal every single day, in every drop of sweat and every decisive goal. Every time he wore the captain’s armband, he reflected his unconditional love for our shirt and his passion for our country.
He left his mark on all of us through his spirit, commitment, dedication and natural leadership, both on and off the pitch.
He made us all better. He inspired, and continues to inspire, generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps.
We know that no tribute will ever be enough to thank Cristiano Ronaldo for everything he has done for the national team, for Portuguese football and for Portugal.
And we will do everything we can to honour him. He deserves to be remembered, honoured and celebrated.
But we also know that the best way to pay tribute to him and celebrate his legacy is to honour the greatest inspiration he leaves us with: limitless ambition, the desire to win, always playing to win and never being afraid to be the best in the world.
That is the commitment we all make today: to always play to win, for Portugal.
Thank you for everything, Captain.
This is, and will always be, your home, because Cristiano Ronaldo is more than a player. He is a symbol, our greatest symbol, our eternal captain.”
