Cristiano Ronaldo retires from Portugal after 23 years, 234 games and 146 goals

It's the end of an era. Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from the Portugal national team, closing more than 23 years of international football.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner announced the decision on social media. He leaves with 234 matches and 146 goals for his country.

It all began on 20 August 2003, when he made his debut in a friendly against Kazakhstan. The high point came on 10 July 2016. As captain, Ronaldo lifted the trophy at Euro 2016 after Portugal beat France 1-0 in the final in Paris, the country's first major international title.

The tributes have already started. Former Sporting forward Luís Lourenço said: "This is the end of an entire era. There is a Portugal before Cristiano Ronaldo and a Portugal after him." He called Ronaldo the best and greatest Portuguese footballer of all time and said the country should feel proud.