cristiano ronaldois extraordinary fifa world cup Portugal’s journey came to an emotional end on Monday when they were eliminated by Spain in the last 16, kicking off the legendary striker’s sixth and final appearance in football’s biggest tournament. The 41-year-old was visibly emotional as he left the pitch after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat. He waved to supporters who had traveled far and wide and wiped away tears, fully aware that his World Cup career was over. Reflect on failure, ronaldo Admit it’s hard to hide your disappointment. “Now – it’s normal after being knocked out like this,” Ronaldo said after the game after briefly covering his eyes with his right hand. Although his World Cup chapter has come to an end, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner says he has no regrets about his contribution to his country. “I’ve given everything, I’ve tried my best and I leave with a clear conscience,” he said. “This is football, this is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.” Ronaldo said before the game that he hoped his final World Cup campaign could continue and wanted to enjoy every moment. However, after Portugal were eliminated, he once again confirmed that this tournament will indeed be his last on the international stage. While Ronaldo has ruled out playing in another World Cup, he has not revealed the next step in his career. “Yes, this is my last World Cup but I will have time to think about everything else, be with my family and not make any rash decisions and move on with life,” he said. The Portugal captain came close to scoring against Spain. His best chance came in the first half when Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon made a superb save, leaping high and then recovering the ball with both hands. Ronaldo took three shots in total, two of which were forced to be saved by the Spanish goalkeeper, including an acrobatic overhead shot after Joao Felix’s header bounced off Simon’s shoulder. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez paid tribute to Ronaldo after the game, praising his impact on the team and his lasting legacy in the sport. “He is an example, an example to follow. This is someone we need to celebrate. We are talking about a football icon,” Martinez said. “There’s not a lot of Cristiano Ronaldo out there. I think we need to thank him. His dream was to win the World Cup and he did that in the dressing room and became a fantastic role model.” Although Ronaldo never lifted the World Cup trophy, his impact on Portuguese football remains unparalleled. Portugal had never won a major international trophy before his time, but under his stewardship they won the 2016 European Cup, followed by the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. Ronaldo’s final World Cup also added a new chapter to his remarkable record book. He remains the only player to score in six consecutive World Cups and continues to hold the record for most international goals with 146. He ended his World Cup career with 11 goals, tied for ninth on the all-time World Cup scoring list. One of his most iconic World Cup moments came at the 2018 World Cup, when he scored a stunning hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain in the group stages. At the age of 33, he became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup, a record that has remained until Lionel MessiThe 38-year-old scored three goals for Argentina against Algeria on June 16. Although Ronaldo’s World Cup dreams ended in heartbreak, he leaves the tournament as one of the greatest players of all time, with a legacy that extends far beyond goals and records.
