Ronaldo confirms final World Cup after Portugal exit

Tos:

Islamabad:

Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey ended in heartbreak in Arlington, Texas, as Portugal were knocked out by Spain in the round of 16. The 41-year-old said he leaves the tournament with a “clear conscience” after giving everything for his country.

Portugal were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain at Dallas Stadium, also known as AT&T Stadium, on Monday night.

Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, sending Spain into the quarterfinals and ending Portugal’s hopes against their Iberian rivals.

Ronaldo leaves World Cup in tears

After the final whistle, Ronaldo was visibly emotional as he wiped tears from his eyes and applauded the fans. He took one final look around the stadium before slowly walking toward the locker room with the captain’s armband in his hand.

Speaking to reporters, Ronaldo confirmed it was his final World Cup.

“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he said. “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. I won’t be making any rash decisions.”

Ronaldo avoids decision on Portugal future

Although Ronaldo confirmed his World Cup farewell, he did not say whether he had played his final match for Portugal.

“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said, adding that he did not want a personal decision to overshadow Portugal’s campaign.

The Al-Nassr forward had already hinted before the match that this would be his last appearance at the global tournament, saying: “Let this be my last World Cup; it is my last World Cup, and I hope tomorrow won’t be my last match.”

Legendary World Cup career ends

Ronaldo’s World Cup career ends with 27 appearances, the second most behind Lionel Messi’s 30, and 11 goals, tying him for ninth on the all-time World Cup scoring list.

He is the first and only player to score in six different World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.

His penalty against Croatia in this tournament was his first knockout-stage World Cup goal and made him the oldest scorer in a World Cup knockout match at 41 years and 147 days. Overall, only Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored at 42 years and 39 days in 1994, is older among World Cup scorers.

Ronaldo leaves the World Cup stage without the one major trophy missing from his career. His deepest run came in 2006, when Portugal reached the semifinals before losing to France.

He helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.