“TI have little doubt when I say that he is a personality that cuts across countries and cultures, something that we can be proud of, as Portuguese, always because of the way in which he declared himself: ours”, says Reinaldo Teixeira on the organization’s official website.
The director highlights “Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey, as a person and footballer”, who “has long been confused with the name of Portugal”.
“It is – and will continue to be for many years – a symbol of our cultural identity and the immeasurable value it lends to this passion common to many millions of citizens around the world: football”, he adds.
Reinaldo Teixeira says that Cristiano’s legacy for Portugal “does not fit into half a dozen lines or comments”.
“And it will continue to do so. It is my conviction that despite having finally taken off the national team’s shirt, the feeling and knowledge of being Portuguese will be a garment that will remain on your skin and in your emotions”, he considers.
For the president of the LPFP, “Cristiano Ronaldo will know how to intertwine his sunset as a player with the industry and art that he marked since his name began to reflect sensations of amazement”.
“His story will be eternal, as will our gratitude, for what he gave us and will continue to give us. On behalf of Liga Portugal, and on my personal behalf, thank you very much. It will always be Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo”, says Reinaldo Teixeira.
Striker Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced today his withdrawal from the Portuguese football team, through a video posted on his social networks, on the eve of the squad for the last two games of the Nations League qualifying phase being announced.
World record holder for national team games, with 234 ‘AA’ caps, and for goals, with 146, Cristiano Ronaldo’s career highlights include winning Euro2016, in France, as well as two editions of the Nations League, in 2019 and 2025, after becoming European runner-up at Euro2004, held in Portugal.
On September 30, the striker left the Portuguese national team training camp on the eve of the Nations League match against Denmark in Copenhagen, at the beginning of Jorge Jesus’ cycle as coach of the national team.
Ronaldo, who was a starter with Wales and an unused substitute with Norway, revealed that Jesus failed to speak to him more than once and that, as a result, he decided to leave the training camp on his own initiative, a decision that cost him a 30-day ban, already served, and a fine of 255 euros.
The last game for the ‘quinas’ team ended up being the triumph against Wales (1-0) played on September 24th, in the first round of Group A4 of the League of Nations, at the José Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, more than 23 years after the debut on August 23rd, 2003, in Chaves, in a friendly against Kazakhstan.
The last goal with the Portuguese shirt was scored in the victory against Croatia (2-1), in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, on July 3, in Toronto, Canada, by converting a penalty.
