The Portugal captain fought back tears after a dramatic loss to Spain and said he would leave the tournament with a clear conscience after giving everything for his country.
Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that his World Cup career is over after Portugal suffered a heartbreaking 1 to 0 loss to Spain in the round of 16.
The 41 year old appeared emotional after the final whistle in Dallas as Portugal’s hopes were ended by a late Spanish goal. Ronaldo described the match as extremely close and said either team could have advanced, although he acknowledged that Spain had a little more luck when it mattered most.
The defeat marked Ronaldo’s 27th World Cup appearance and his 233rd game for Portugal, according to the Croatian report. He surpassed German legends Miroslav Klose and Lothar Matthäus on the list of players with the most World Cup appearances, but the milestone offered little comfort after Portugal’s elimination.
Ronaldo Leaves With No Regrets
Ronaldo said it was painful to leave the World Cup in this way, but insisted he had no regrets about his effort or commitment. He confirmed that the 2026 tournament was his final World Cup, while stopping short of announcing his complete retirement from international soccer.
The Portuguese captain said he did not want to make emotional decisions immediately after the defeat. Instead, he plans to spend time with his family and reflect before deciding whether he will continue representing Portugal in other competitions.
Ronaldo said he would wake up the following morning with the same clear conscience because he had given everything throughout his international career. He also pointed to the three major trophies he won with Portugal, including the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles.
Spain Ends Portugal’s Run
Portugal entered the match with confidence after advancing through the previous round, but Spain controlled the decisive moments and secured its place in the quarterfinals with a late winner from Mikel Merino.
The result brought an emotional end to Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup campaign. Although he never lifted the trophy, he leaves the competition as one of its most recognizable players and one of the most successful international scorers in soccer history.
Whether Ronaldo will continue playing for Portugal remains uncertain, but one part of his future is now clear. His appearance against Spain was his final match on the World Cup stage.
