Cristiano Ronaldoit is remarkable FIFA World Cup The journey came to an emotional end on Monday as Portugal were knocked out by Spain in the Round of 16, bringing the curtain down on the legendary striker’s sixth and final appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The 41-year-old left the field visibly emotional after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat. He briefly acknowledged the traveling supporters with a wave before wiping away tears, knowing his World Cup career had come to an end. Reflecting on defeat, Ronaldo admitted that the disappointment was hard to hide. “Sad – it’s normal after being eliminated like that,” Ronaldo said after the match, moments after briefly covering his eyes with his right hand. Although his World Cup chapter is over, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he has no regrets about what he has given for his country. “I gave everything, I gave my best, and I leave with a clear conscience,” he said. “That’s football, that’s life for a footballer. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.” Ronaldo had expressed before the match that he hoped his final World Cup campaign would continue and wanted to savor every moment. However, after Portugal’s elimination, he confirmed once again that this tournament would indeed be his last on the world stage. While ruling out another World Cup appearance, Ronaldo stopped short of revealing what comes next in his playing career. “Yes, it was my last World Cup, but all I had time to think about, to be with my family, and not to make a hot-headed decision and move forward with life,” he said. The Portuguese captain is close to finding the net against Spain. Their best opportunity came in the first half when Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón produced a spectacular save, leaping high before reaching back to claim the ball with both hands. Ronaldo registered three shots in total, with two saves forced by the Spanish goalkeeper, including an acrobatic effort over the top after João Félix’s header bounced off Simón’s shoulder. Portugal coach Roberto MartÃnez paid an emotional tribute to Ronaldo after the match, praising his influence on the team and his lasting legacy in the sport. “He is an example, a model to follow. This is someone we need to celebrate. We are talking about a football icon,” said MartÃnez. “There is not too much Cristiano Ronaldo out there. I think we have to thank him. His dream was to win the World Cup and he did this as an amazing example in the dressing room.” Although Ronaldo never lifted the World Cup trophy, his impact on Portuguese football remains unparalleled. Portugal had not won a major international title before his era, but under his leadership, they took the 2016 European Championship and then added UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025. Ronaldo’s latest World Cup added yet another chapter to his extraordinary 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 finished his career in the World Cup with 11 goals, tied for ninth in the list of all points of the tournament. One of his most iconic World Cup moments came in 2018 when he scored a stunning hat-trick against Spain in a memorable 3-3 draw in the group stage. At 33, he became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, a record that stands until Lionel Messithe 38-year-old scored three times for Argentina against Algeria on June 16. Despite ending his World Cup dream at heart, Ronaldo leaves the tournament as one of its greatest ever players, with a legacy that extends far beyond goals and records.
