Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to Rui Patricio after the latter annouced his retirement from football. He thanked the veteran goalkeeper for his services to the Portuguese national team and congratulated him on his 19-year career.Patrício's retirement was annouced via a post on the official Instagram page of the Portuguese national team. Reacting to the post, Ronaldo sent a message to the 37-year-old, writing:"Thank you for everything, Rui! Congratulations on your career!"Rui Patricio earned his first cap with the national team in 2010 and went on to make 108 appearances, the most by any goalkeeper in the nation's history. At club level, he made his professional debut with Sporting CP in 2006 before going on to represent Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roma, Atalanta, and UAE outfit, Al-Ain.The former shotstopper shared the pitch with Ronaldo 88 times for the national team and assisted the 40-year-old once during an Euro qualifier against Armenia in 2015. Playing together, they guided Selecao das Quinas to the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal's most capped player and record goalscorer with 143 goals and 46 assists in 226 appearances. He is still going strong at club level with Al-Nassr and is expected to lead Portugal to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which he has confirmed will be his last major international outing.Who will Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal face at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will participate in next summer's 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese icon will set a record of appearing at six World Cup editions when he lines up for Portugal at the tournament.The reigning Nations League champions have been drawn in Group K alongside Uzbekistan, Colombia, and the winner of the inter-confederation playoff between DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia. Portugal will commence their World Cup campaign against the inter-confederation playoff winner on June 17.Ronaldo was initially set to miss Portugal's opening matches at the Mundial after a red card for violent conduct against the Republic of Ireland during the qualifiers. However, his three-match ban was reduced to one game, making him available for selection after serving the suspension in Portugal’s final World Cup qualifying match against Armenia.