Cristiano Ronaldo Salutes Rui Patrício As Portugal Goalkeeping Legend Retires

Cristiano Ronaldo has paid a warm tribute to Rui Patrício after the long-serving Portugal goalkeeper announced the end of his playing career.

Rui Patrício confirmed his retirement in a message shared on the official Instagram page of the Portuguese national team, drawing the curtain on a remarkable 19-year journey in professional football.

The 37-year-old had been without a club since leaving Al Ain in June.

Ronaldo, who captained Patrício for more than a decade at the international level, responded beneath the post with a simple but heartfelt message.

The Al Nassr forward wrote: “Thank you for everything, Rui! Congratulations on your career!”

Patrício bows out as Portugal’s most capped goalkeeper, having made 108 appearances for the Seleção after his debut in 2010. He played a central role in some of the national team’s greatest modern moments, including the Euro 2016 triumph and the 2019 Nations League victory.

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that he will be honoured on Friday at the City of Football in Oeiras. In its statement, the FPF praised Patrício’s “unique career” and highlighted his “enormous longevity” guarding Portugal’s goal.

His club career began at Sporting CP, where he rose through the academy ranks before making his senior debut in 2006 as an 18-year-old under Paulo Bento. His first appearance was unforgettable.

He saved a second-half penalty to secure a 1-0 win over Marítimo, a moment that paved the way for him to become Sporting’s undisputed number one for more than a decade.

Patrício made 467 appearances for Sporting and won several domestic trophies, including two Portuguese Cups, two Super Cups and a League Cup. He eventually left the club in 2018, amid the fallout from the violent fan attack at the Alcochete training centre.

He went on to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he reunited with Nuno Espírito Santo. Wolves later paid €18 million to Sporting for his transfer.

Patrício made 127 appearances in three seasons before moving to Roma, where he played 129 matches and lifted the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League trophy under José Mourinho.

The goalkeeper later spent a brief spell with Atalanta, featuring only six times, before making his final move to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. He played twice for the club in the FIFA Club World Cup, including a heavy defeat to Juventus and a win against WAC Casablanca.

Patrício’s international career was equally rich. After making his Portugal debut in a memorable 4-0 win over world champions Spain in 2010, he went on to feature in five European Championships and three World Cups.

His last appearance for the national team came in March 2024 during a friendly win over Sweden in Guimarães.

Though called up for Euro 2024, he did not feature as Diogo Costa had taken over as Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper. He has not been included in the squad since.