Soccer-Ronaldo Says His Last World Cup Is over but Portugal Decision Can Wait
The 41-year-old said he is proud of his Portugal career after Spain’s 1-0 win, but he will not decide on his future in the moment.
- On Monday, Portugal's World Cup campaign ended with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the round of 16, with Mikel Merino scoring in the dying moments, though Cristiano Ronaldo stopped short of confirming his international retirement.
- Reflecting on his career, Ronaldo noted his role in Portugal winning the 2016 European Championship and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, stating, "I've won three titles for Portugal."
- Portugal's tournament exit also marked manager Roberto Martinez's departure; Ronaldo offered warm words for the Spaniard, saying, "I loved working with him. A great manager, a great human being."
- The Al-Nassr forward added, "It's frustrating to go out like this, but we can hold our heads high," noting he would take time to reflect before deciding his future.
- Ronaldo told reporters that Spain enjoyed "a bit of luck" to score in the dying moments, though he felt the match could have swung either way and is "leaving with a clear conscience.
28 Articles
28 Articles
A stoic Ronaldo exits last World Cup with 'clear conscience'
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch after his final World Cup match for Portugal with a stoic look on his face and only the slightest hint of emotion. There was a brief wave to acknowledge cheering fans, and the same feeling he has had after past losses.“Sad — it’s normal after being eliminated like this,” said Ronaldo, who briefly shielded his eyes with his right hand after the match.The sixth and final World Cup for …
With the defeat against Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo's two-decade-long World Cup career came to an end. Whether Ronaldo will play in Portugal's jersey again will be determined in the future. But one thing is certain: the world will never see Cristiano Ronaldo play on the FIFA World Cup stage again.
Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything: Ronaldo says wont make rash call on international future following FIFA WC exit - The Tribune
Another FIFA WC, another heartbreak. Carrying the weight of expectations of his football-crazy nation since the start of his career, Cristiano's sixth and last FIFA World Cup ended with tears in his eyes as Portugal wasted their last chance in form of a free kick in the stoppage time after Mikel Merino had fired the winner in the 91st minute.
FIFA 2026 | Cristiano Ronaldo says his last World Cup is over but Portugal decision can wait
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup ended with a Spanish sting in the tail, courtesy of Mikel Merino's last-gasp winner that earned a 1-0 round-of-16 win on Monday, but he was unwilling to make a hasty call on his international future.
Ronaldo leaves Portugal future undecided, confirms he played his final World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed Spain's dramatic Round of 16 defeat marked his final FIFA World Cup but stopped short of announcing his retirement from Portugal duty. The 41-year-old said he would take time to reflect before deciding on his international future.
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