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Cristiano Ronaldo had no idea. Neither did his fellow players. And the 48,000 fans packed into the Estádio José Alvalade certainly weren't aware that September's UEFA Nations League clash with Wales would mark the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's last ever outing for Portugal.
After 23 years, three major trophies and 146 international goals, Ronaldo has brought the curtain down on his storied international career following a turbulent final chapter in which he clashed with new Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus.
That means, unless a one-off testimonial is arranged down the line, Ronaldo's 234th cap for the Seleção das Quinas was his last — somewhat ironically, coming on the very night Jesus took charge for the first time.
Here's a look back at how Ronaldo performed during his international swan song.
How Did Ronaldo Perform in Final Portugal Outing?
Ronaldo had previously admitted to contemplating international retirement after Portugal's underwhelming 2026 World Cup campaign, yet he ultimately chose to extend his 23-year national team journey into a fresh Nations League cycle — a tournament he had lifted on two occasions, in 2019 and 2025.
Sadly for the 41-year-old, and without him realising it at the time, his final international appearance would turn out to be one he'd rather forget.
Ronaldo registered just 27 touches during Portugal's slender 1–0 victory over Wales back in Lisbon — only one more than goalkeeper Diogo Costa — yet he still managed seven shots, three more than any other player on the pitch.
His clearest opportunity arrived shortly after half-time, when he failed to keep down Rúben Neves's cross from barely six yards out. The delivery came at an admittedly tricky height, but most would have expected Ronaldo to finish the chance — which carried an expected goals value of 0.5 — with the net wide open.
Several other chances came and went. Ronaldo curled a shot narrowly past the post in the 10th minute, then fired straight into the hands of Danny Ward later in the first half from just outside the penalty area. That effort prompted visible frustration from the former Real Madrid and Manchester United icon, whose irritation would only deepen approaching the hour mark.
After latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball, Ronaldo appeared to finally break his duck by calmly sliding the ball into the bottom corner for his seventh attempt of the night. However, a VAR review ruled the goal out, with Ronaldo adjudged to have been offside when Bruno Fernandes played the pass.
That proved to be Ronaldo's last meaningful contribution, as he was withdrawn in the 67th minute — denying the veteran striker any kind of farewell goal.
What followed was a public falling-out with Jesus, whom Ronaldo accused of going back on his word after being left unused on the bench in the subsequent win over Norway. He then removed himself from the squad, receiving only a token suspension and fine as punishment.
Ronaldo had been expected to rejoin the Portugal setup during the November international break, but his surprise retirement announcement has put paid to those plans. Consequently, there will be no fitting send-off to cap an extraordinary international career.