Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football.
The 41-year-old has opted to walk away following a major falling-out with national team boss Jorge Jesus during the last international break.
Ronaldo left the squad in Copenhagen on the eve of their Nations League clash with Denmark having been left on the bench for the previous game against Norway. He was fined €255 (£215; $286) and given a 30-day ban by the Portuguese Football Federation.
It was expected conciliatory talks would resolve the situation and he would return for the upcoming games with Denmark and Wales but he has decided to quit the international game.
“The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team,†he said in a statement on Instagram. “I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.
“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart.
“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end. When I look back at everything with the national team, I don't just see the matches, goals, records or trophies.
“I see people. I see the Portuguese people living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who became part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.â€
Record-breaking Ronaldo bows out for Portugal
Ronaldo departs having made the most international appearances in history (234) and scored the most goals (146).
He made his international debut in 2003 and led Portugal to the 2016 European Championship as well as two Nations League titles.
He added: “Throughout my entire career with the national team I always pushed myself beyond my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be better, I wanted to make history. I always demanded the most of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt.
“There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember.
“I made mistakes. I suffered. There were also moments when I couldn't give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.
“Over the years, I learned a few very simple things: Goals fade. Trophies end up in museums. Records are eventually broken. But there is something that time can never erase: the place we hold in people's hearts. If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you embrace someone, forget a worry, or feel proud of your country, then it was all worth it. Because being Portuguese is also about this. We suffer together. We rise together. We believe again.
“Portugal will always need young people who dare to dream. Players who never give up. New generations who believe it is possible to go where no one has gone before. Because a country that keeps creating new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.â€
Ronaldo's final appearance for Portugal came against Wales in September.
He will now focus his efforts on club matters with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, with whom he won the title last season.
