Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that his country’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 marked the final World Cup appearance of his illustrious career.
Speaking after Portugal’s elimination, the 41-year-old forward said he was disappointed with the result but left the tournament with “a clear conscience” after giving his maximum effort.
“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family.”
Will Ronaldo Retire from International Football?
Despite confirming it was his final World Cup, Ronaldo stopped short of announcing his retirement from international football.
He said he would not make any decisions in the immediate aftermath of Portugal’s exit.
“I won’t be making any rash decisions. I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment.”
How Did Portugal Exit the Tournament?
Portugal were eliminated after Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 victory, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring the winning goal in the closing stages of the Round of 16 clash.
Ronaldo said Spain benefited from “a bit of luck” and believed the contest could have gone either way.
“The team was really coming into its own. We played well, in my view. It could have gone either way, but that’s football.”
What Did Ronaldo Say About His Portugal Legacy?
Ronaldo reflected proudly on his achievements with the national team, highlighting Portugal’s historic successes during his international career.
He helped Portugal win the UEFA Euro 2016 title and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
“I’ve won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title.”
He added that Portugal’s 2016 European Championship triumph remains as meaningful to him as winning a World Cup.
What Did He Say About Roberto Martinez?
Portugal’s World Cup exit also marked the end of Roberto Martinez’s tenure as head coach.
Ronaldo praised the Spanish manager for his contribution to Portuguese football.
“I loved working with him. A great manager, a great human being, and what he’s done for Portugal is to be commended.”
What Lies Ahead for Ronaldo?
While Ronaldo confirmed the tournament was his final World Cup, he left his broader international future open, saying he would take time to reflect before making any decision.
Portugal’s elimination ends another World Cup campaign without the title that remained the only major honour missing from Ronaldo’s international career.