Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he has played his last World Cup game, following Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16 in Dallas. The 41-year-old captain, who made his international debut 23 years ago, said he leaves the tournament at peace with his career and with a clear conscience.
Ronaldo, who has scored in six different World Cups — a record no other player has achieved — acknowledged that his time on the global stage is over. «I go with a clear conscience,» he said after the match. «I gave everything for my country, and I have no regrets.»
The defeat came in the dying moments of the game, with Spain scoring a late winner to end Portugal's campaign. Ronaldo, visibly emotional, was seen in tears as he left the pitch, a scene reminiscent of his disappointment at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez, who resigned shortly after the match, defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch during the crucial moments. «When you need a goal, you cannot take him off,» Martinez said. «He is a player who can change the game at any moment.»
Ronaldo's international career spans more than two decades, during which he has earned 233 caps for Portugal — a world record for a men's national team player. He led his country to victory at the 2016 European Championship, a triumph he considers as significant as winning the World Cup. «The European Championship is as big as a world title,» he said. «Our generation achieved the most successful period in Portuguese football history.»
Despite his advanced age, Ronaldo has not yet made a decision about his future with the national team. He said he will take time to reflect before announcing his next steps. «I have not decided anything yet,» he said. «I need to think about what is best for me and for Portugal.»
Ronaldo's departure from the World Cup stage marks the end of an era for Portuguese football. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and his absence from future tournaments will leave a significant void. His fiancee, Georgina Rodriguez, broke her silence after the match, expressing her support for him in an emotional social media post.
The defeat also prompted Martinez's resignation, with the Spanish-born coach calling time on his spell with the Selecao after an underwhelming campaign. He insisted that he did not fail, but acknowledged that the team's performance fell short of expectations.
Ronaldo's legacy, however, remains intact. He is the all-time leading scorer in men's international football, with over 130 goals for Portugal. His contribution to the game, both at club and international level, is unquestionable. As one of the best players never to have won the World Cup, he will be remembered as a titan of the sport.
For Portugal, the search for a new path begins. With Ronaldo's international career likely drawing to a close, the team will need to build a new identity without its talismanic captain. The future of Portuguese football now rests on a younger generation of players, who will look to carry forward the legacy of their greatest ever footballer.
