ARLINGTON, Texas: July 7, 2026 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of ending his World Cup career with the trophy he has long coveted was shattered as Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
A late goal from Mikel Merino in the 91st minute sealed Portugal’s elimination, bringing an end to Ronaldo’s tournament journey, which he confirmed would be his last on football’s grandest stage.
The 41-year-old icon struggled to hold back tears after the final whistle before confirming he would not feature in another World Cup.
“I am sad to leave the World Cup this way. I gave everything and leave this tournament with a clear conscience. Yes, this is my last World Cup,” he told reporters after the match.
Ronaldo said he would take time to be with his family before making a decision regarding his international future.
“I won’t make a hasty decision. I will retire when I choose to, not when others decide for me,” he said.
He also defended his legacy with Portugal, emphasising that his achievements had transformed the nation’s football history.
“I have won three trophies with Portugal. Before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal had never won any major title. The European Championship means as much to me as the World Cup,” he stated.
Ronaldo also hit out at his critics, who have continually questioned his ability throughout his career.
“For 23 years you have tried to bring me down, but you should realise it hasn’t worked,” he said.
At the same time, he defended Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, describing their defeat to Spain as being influenced more by fortune than performance.
“Spain had a bit of luck. The game could have gone either way, but that is football. We can still hold our heads high,” he said.
Despite Portugal’s exit, Ronaldo set several historic records at the 2026 edition, becoming the first player in men’s football history to score in six different World Cups.
He also became the oldest player to score two goals in a single World Cup match, at the age of 41 years and 138 days, as well as the oldest goalscorer in the knockout stages, at 41 years and 147 days.
Across the campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Ronaldo scored three goals – two against Uzbekistan and one from the penalty spot against Croatia. That strike was also his first in the knockout stages across his six World Cup appearances.
Ronaldo finishes his World Cup career with 27 appearances, 11 goals and two assists, cementing his status as one of the most prolific players in the tournament’s history.
However, his final outing against Spain also highlighted the challenges of age, as he managed only 19 touches, completed no dribbles and registered 17 attempts throughout the tournament without creating a single chance for a team-mate.
Ronaldo’s emotional reaction at full-time quickly went viral on social media, with millions of fans paying tribute to the Portugal legend as he brought down the curtain on his World Cup career without ever lifting the most prestigious trophy in football.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney also praised Ronaldo’s extraordinary mentality, describing him as a “genius” who set new standards in dedication, discipline and professionalism throughout his career.
Sources: ESPN, Al Jazeera, BBC Sport, ESPN Stats, Fox Sports and NDTV Profit.
