CRISTIANO RONALDO TO RETIRE FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo says he is retiring from international football.

He made the announcement in an Instagram video, noting, “To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team.”

The 41-year-old forward has scored 146 goals and won 234 caps for his country, both world records, since making his debut in 2003.

But the twilight of his career with the national team has been marred by a public spat.

BBC reports walked out of the Portugal camp in September after being told he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark.

However, the Portugal Football Federation said it refuses to “let this farewell take place without due tribute”.