Cristiano RonaldoAmazing FIFA World Cup The journey came to an end on Monday when Portugal were knocked out by Spain in the round of 16, marking the midfielder’s sixth and final appearance at football’s biggest competition. The 41-year-old left the pitch looking distressed after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat. He briefly acknowledged the traveling supporters and waves before wiping away tears, knowing full well that his World Cup career was over. Thinking about defeat, Ronaldo he admitted the disappointment was hard to hide. “Now – it’s normal to be sent off like this,” Ronaldo said after the game, shortly after covering his eyes with his right hand. Although his World Cup title is over, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he has no regrets about what he gave for his country. “I’ve given everything, I’ve done everything I can, and I leave with a clear conscience,” he said. “This is football, this is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.” Ronaldo said before the game that he hopes his final World Cup campaign will continue and he wants to enjoy every moment. However, following Portugal’s elimination, he confirmed that this tournament would indeed be his last international. While denying some of the World Cup form, Ronaldo stopped short of revealing what’s next for his game. “Yes, it was my last World Cup, but everything else I will have time to think about, be with my family, not make a head decision and move on with life,” he said. The Portugal captain almost found the net against Spain. His best chance came in the first half when Spanish midfielder Unai Simón made a stunning save, leaping before getting back to grab the ball with both hands. Ronaldo registered three shots, and forced two saves from the Spanish international, including an over-the-top effort after João Félix’s header came off Simón’s shoulder. Portugal coach Roberto MartÃnez paid tribute to Ronaldo after the match, praising both his achievements at the club and his lasting legacy in the game. “He is an example, an example to follow. This is a person we should celebrate. We are talking about a football icon,” said MartÃnez. “There aren’t many Cristiano Ronaldos out there. I think we should thank him. His dream was to win the World Cup and he did it as an amazing example in the locker room.” Although Ronaldo never lifted the World Cup trophy, his impact on Portuguese football is unmatched. Portugal had yet to win a major international title before his time, but under his leadership they took the 2016 European Championship and later added UEFA Nations League wins in 2019 and 2025. Ronaldo’s last World Cup campaign added another chapter to his illustrious book. He is the only player to have scored six consecutive World Cup goals and continues to hold the record for international goals with 146. He finished his World Cup career with 11 goals, tied for ninth on the all-time scoring list. One of his most notable World Cup performances came in 2018 when he scored a stunning hat-trick against Spain in a memorable 3-3 aggregate draw. At the age of 33, he became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, a record that stands to this day Lionel MessiThe 38-year-old scored three goals for Argentina on June 16. Although he ended his World Cup dream in heartbreak, Ronaldo leaves the tournament as one of the world’s greatest players, with a legacy that goes beyond goals and history.
