Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41.

In an emotional Instagram video posted on Thursday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he would “hand back the number seven shirt” of the national team after the upcoming November international break.

READ MORE : Match Review: Kotoko 1-1 Medeama SC

“To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said. “I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it… Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision… A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”

Ronaldo ends his international career as the record holder for both appearances (234) and goals (146) in men’s football. He led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory and two UEFA Nations League titles.

The announcement follows recent tension with the national team setup, including his departure from camp last month after being told he would not start a Nations League match.

READ MORE : Week Nine Review: Debibi United stun Hearts of Oak, Kotoko draw

One of the greatest players of all time has closed the chapter on a remarkable 23-year journey with Portugal.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has firmly stated that the association does not interfere in the selection of players for the Black Stars.

According to him, player selection to the national teams rest on the coach and his technical team.

He made this remarks Okraku when he appeared before Parliament’s Select Committee on Youth and Sports to address issues

Addressing longstanding public scrutiny on player call-ups and other relevant issues.

“GFA does not interfere in Black Stars player selection. It is the sole responsibility of the coach and his technical team,” Okraku said.

Kurt’s stance on the independence of the technical team’s national team’s selections has been publicly criticized over the years.

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has opened up about the league losing a major sponsorship deal from an alcoholic beverage company. 

He made this revelation when he appeared before the Parliament Select Committee on Sports this afternoon.

According to him, the Ghana Premier League lost out on a major potential sponsorship after the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) blocked a proposed investment from Guinness Ghana Limited.

“We were approached by Guinness Ghana Limited, which wanted to invest over $5 million annually in the Ghana Premier League. We did everything we could, but the FDA said no,” Okraku told the committee.

He urged Parliament to review and remove the legal provision that gives the FDA the power to approve or reject such sponsorship arrangements.

Debibi United stunned Hearts of Oak at home through a Demitrous Sarkodie’s goal in the second-half at the Presby School Park.

Elsewhere, Kotoko and Medeama SC shared the spoils at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Usman scored the opener in the first half with Hamza Attah pulling his side back on level terms in the second half. The game ended , 1-1.

Stephen Amankona scored a brace for Aduana to beat Berekum Chelsea at the NAB 1 Park.

Week 9 :

Vision FC 0–0 Port City FC

Aduana FC 2–0 Berekum Chelsea

Goals: Stephen Amankona (Aduana; 43–44′, 50–51′) — brace

Asante Kotoko 1–1 Medeama SC

Goals: Usman Safianu / Safian Usman / Osman Safianu (Medeama; 42–43′); Musa/Musah Hamzata (Kotoko; 55–58′)

Basake Holy Stars 0–1 Dreams FC

Goal: Bernard Kokonu Junior (Dreams; 50′)

Debibi United 1–0 Hearts of Oak

Goal: Demetrous Sarkodie / Sarkodie Demetrous (Debibi; ~50–52′)

Heart of Lions 2–1 Bechem United

Goals: Stephen Afoakwah/Afoakwa (Lions; 22–23′); Augustine Okrah (Bechem; 38–39′); William Oduro (Lions; ~86–88′)

FC Samartex 1–0 Bibiani Gold Stars

Goal: Christian Agyenim Boateng (Samartex; 26′)

Swedru All Blacks 1–2 FC AshantiGold 04

Goals: Faisal Charwetey (All Blacks; 7′); Zak Musah (AshantiGold; 14′); Frederick Twumasi (AshantiGold; 77′)

Young Apostles 0–0 Karela United