What Ronaldo's Retirement Means for Jersey Collectors
Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international soccer, announced on Instagram this week, closes a 23-year Portugal career. For jersey collectors it changes how his Portugal jerseys are seen: they now come from a finished era instead of a current squad. Here is what that means if you own one, or want one.
Why a retirement matters to jersey collectors
While a player is still active, his jersey is current kit. Once he retires, every jersey he wore belongs to a closed chapter, with a first and a last. That is when fans start sorting their jerseys by tournament and asking which one they actually have.
Ronaldo's Portugal career spans a long list of tournaments, from his 2003 debut through Euro 2016, the 2019 and 2025 Nations League wins and the 2026 World Cup. That gives collectors plenty of eras to choose from.
If you already own one
- Work out the year. Match the crest, collar and maker's details to a tournament so you know which era it belongs to.
- Keep it out of the wash. If it is a keeper, hang it away from direct sunlight to protect the print.
- Write down where you got it. A note on when and where you bought it is worth keeping with the jersey.
If you want one now
Expect plenty of listings for older Portugal jerseys in the coming weeks, and not all of them will be genuine. Our guide on how to spot a fake retro soccer jersey covers what to check before you pay. If you prefer to build a collection gradually, read our guide to building a jersey collection month by month.
Some fans would rather leave the choice to chance. Our mystery soccer jersey box arrives without telling you which club or country is inside, so it may or may not be Portugal.
For the full news story, head back to our Ronaldo international retirement hub, or follow his career year by year in the Portugal career timeline.
