Newsletters
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career came to an end on Monday as Portugal fell 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16 in Arlington, Texas, with Spain's Mikel Merino scoring the only goal in first-minute stoppage time of the second half.
The 41-year-old was visibly emotional at the final whistle, wiping away tears as he applauded fans at AT&T Stadium before heading to the locker room. He later confirmed to reporters that it was his last World Cup appearance, though he said he would not be ending his active playing career.
“I'm sad to leave the World Cup this way,” Ronaldo said. “I gave it my all, and I leave with a clear conscience. That's the life of a footballer. You have to move forward.”
He added that he would take time to decide on his international future, saying he preferred to wait until national team coach Roberto Martinez's planned departure before addressing his personal situation.
'There's time to think, to be with my family, and not say things in the heat of the moment,' he said.
Ronaldo also thanked supporters in Saudi Arabia, where he currently plays club football, for their continued backing, and said he had no plans to retire from active competition.
Portugal had been attempting to reach the quarterfinals in consecutive tournaments for the first time, having also exited at the quarterfinal stage of the 2022 World Cup to Morocco, a match after which Ronaldo was also seen in tears.
Instead, his World Cup career closes with 27 appearances, the second-most in tournament history behind Argentina's Lionel Messi, who has 30. The trophy remained the one major title missing from his collection.
Ronaldo is international football's all-time leader in both goals (146) and appearances (233). His deepest World Cup run came in 2006, when Portugal reached the semifinals in his tournament debut.
He won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 and lifted two UEFA Nations League titles, Portugal's first major trophies, calling the 2016 Euros win comparable in stature to a World Cup title.
He spoke positively of his working relationship with Martínez and the coach's contribution to the team.
Monday's match marked eight years since Ronaldo scored a World Cup hat trick at age 33, in a 3-3 draw with Spain during the 2018 group stage, a match regarded as one of that tournament's best, though neither side advanced from the group.
He scored 11 career World Cup goals, tied for ninth on the all-time list, and is the only player to have scored in six different World Cups.
He added three goals in this tournament but had limited chances against Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon, who extended his World Cup scoreless streak to 609 minutes.
Martinez credited Ronaldo's leadership and defended his decision to keep him on the field for the full 90 minutes, saying Ronaldo's presence in the box, his ability to draw defenders, and his composure in dead-ball situations made him difficult to substitute.
Martínez said that while bringing on Goncalo Ramos might have been considered in extra time, the team needed to preserve its structure rather than remove its top scorer during regulation.
Spain will next face Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
