Cristiano Ronaldo’s wife Georgina and mother Dolores react to Portugal retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to end his 23-year international career has prompted emotional reactions from the two women closest to him, with wife Georgina Rodriguez and mother Maria Dolores Aveiro paying tribute following his announcement.

The Portugal captain’s farewell brings an extraordinary chapter to a close, having amassed 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country.

Georgina reacted to Ronaldo’s retirement announcement with crying and heart-shaped emojis in the comments of his farewell post, expressing her pride and affection for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The model and influencer has been a constant presence throughout Ronaldo’s career, supporting him as he helped Portugal secure two major international trophies.

Her response reflected the personal significance of the decision after years of travelling alongside the forward through the highs and pressures of representing his country.

Ronaldo’s mother, Maria Dolores Aveiro, also shared an emotional message beneath her son’s farewell video. The 71-year-old wrote, “Meu querido menino da mãe” (“My darling boy”), adding seven crying emojis as she reacted to the announcement.

Dolores supported Ronaldo through his formative years in Madeira and his move to Sporting Lisbon as a teenager, long before he became Portugal’s most celebrated footballer.

The 41-year-old announced his retirement on Thursday after a period of reflection following the previous international break. His decision comes weeks after a public dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus, which saw him leave the national team camp before receiving a suspension from the Portuguese Football Federation.

Ronaldo initially indicated he was willing to return, but speculation about his international future had grown. His departure leaves him as the record holder for both international appearances and goals in men's football.