Which national team does Cristiano Ronaldo play for?

Cristiano Ronaldo plays for the Portugal national football team. He represents Portugal in international competitions and has also served as the team’s captain for much of his senior career.

Ronaldo made his senior Portugal debut in 2003, after progressing through the country’s youth teams. He became the central figure of Portugal’s golden generation and helped the national side win its first major senior men’s trophy at UEFA Euro 2016. Portugal defeated France 1–0 in the final, despite Ronaldo leaving the match injured in the first half.

Portugal later won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, giving Ronaldo another major international title. A frequent mix-up is treating his club team as his national team: Ronaldo has played for clubs including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, but Portugal is the country he represents internationally. His national-team identity is also distinct from his Madeira birthplace, which is part of Portugal.