Cristiano Ronaldo said Portugal’s historic triumph at UEFA Euro 2016 had the same emotional value for him as his victory FIFA World Cupdespite the World Cup being widely regarded as football’s ultimate prize. The Portugal captain made the remarks following his country’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, a result that ended their sixth and final FIFA World Cup campaign. Mikel Merino’s injury-time winner dashed Portugal’s hopes and brought the curtain down. RonaldoThe long search for the only major trophy missing in his brilliant career. Speaking after the match, the 41-year-old admitted he was very disappointed to leave the tournament without lifting the World Cup, but insisted he had no regrets about his efforts. “I’m sad to leave the World Cup like this. I gave it everything. I did my best, and I’ll leave with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but now I have time to reflect and be with my family. I’m not going to make hasty decisions.” Ronaldo added that he will not allow the emotions of the defeat to influence any decision on his future. “I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said. Reflecting on his achievements with Portugal, Ronaldo said the national team had never won a major international title before his generation. While acknowledging the prestige of the World Cup, he explained that ending Portugal’s trophy drought by winning Euro 2016 remains so meaningful to him on a personal level. “I won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal had not won a title. The biggest title the national team ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is as meaningful to me as a World Cup,” he said. During his international career, Ronaldo helped Portugal lift the UEFA European Championship in 2016 before adding the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, transforming the country’s fortunes on the international stage. The defeat in Spain also marked the end of Roberto Martinez’s tenure as Portugal coach, after the Spaniard confirmed he will step down following the World Cup exit. Ronaldo reserved warm words for Martinez, praising his work with the national team and his character. “I liked working with him,” Ronaldo said. “A great manager, a great human being, and what he has done for Portugal is to be praised. I want to thank him and wish him every happiness.” Looking back on Portugal’s elimination, Ronaldo felt his side had shown enough quality to progress, even if the result ended up going against them. “It’s always sad to be kicked out of a major tournament. It’s the World Cup. The team had really come into their own. We played well, in my opinion. It could go either way, but that’s football. We have to pick ourselves up and carry on,” he said. Although Ronaldo’s quest to win the World Cup ended in heartbreak, he made it clear that Portugal’s triumph at Euro 2016 remains the defining achievement of his international career and, in his eyes, carries the same emotional meaning as the sport’s biggest prize.