Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is stepping off the world stage with his head held high.
Portugal lost 0–1 to Spain in the Round of 16 on July 6. The 41-year-old previously stated that he would retire from international competition.
“Well, it was a very balanced match,” Ronaldo said of the loss. “It could have gone either way. In my opinion, Spain had that little bit of luck—scoring right there in the final moments—but that’s football. I think overall, it was a hard-fought match.”
The neighboring nations shut each other out for the full 90 minutes. Spain held the ball for 50 percent of the time, while Portugal held it for 41 percent.
Spain had 15 attempts at goal, with six on target, to Portugal’s 10 attempts, with two on target. Spain also forced 55 turnovers to Portugal’s 43. It was a single goal by midfielder Mikel Merino in stoppage time that sealed the win for Spain.
During his pregame interview on July 5, Ronaldo was asked whether he had a message for his fans.
“About the question of whether this World Cup will be my last World Cup, it’s about enjoying it day by day. Hopefully, tomorrow won’t be my last match,” he said.
Ronaldo was seen crying on the field after the game, and he confirmed it would be his last World Cup at his postgame presser on July 6.
“Well, naturally, I’m sad to leave the World Cup this way, but as I said in the press conference yesterday, I gave it my all,” he said.
“I gave my best, and I leave with a clear conscience. That’s football; that’s the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on. And the truth is, it was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll have time to think about the rest, to be with my family—not make decisions in the heat of the moment—and just carry on with life.”
Ronaldo will leave the world stage with one of the most accomplished international careers in soccer history.
He has appeared in 233 total matches and 6 World Cups, both records; in that record-setting number of appearances, he also set the record for goals with 146.
He led Portugal to its first international title when his team won the UEFA European Championship in 2016; they won the bronze medal in 2012. With Ronaldo on the pitch, Portugal also won the UEFA Nations League title in 2019 and again in 2025.
He won the Ballon d‘Or—a prestigious international award given to the best player in the sport—in 2008, 2016, and 2017; he won the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2013 and 2014. He was FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008 and won the Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2016 and 2017.
Despite his career accomplishments and six World Cups, Ronaldo has never led Portugal to the promised land. His best run was his first run: Portugal finished fourth in the 2006 World Cup. They reached the Round of 16 three times: 2010, 2018, and 2026; they reached the quarterfinals in 2022.
Ronaldo’s other accomplishments allow him to walk off the world stage with his head held high.
“How do I feel today? With a clear conscience,” he said. “I gave my best; I won three titles for Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal hadn’t won any titles. So, I’m happy; honestly, the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016—which, to me, holds the same significance as the World Cup, sincerely. That’s why, I repeat, I leave with a clear conscience, knowing I gave my best—and that’s it. Tomorrow is a new day, and life goes on.”
At 41 years old, Ronaldo has a decision to make about whether to continue his club career. He indicated on Sunday that he can still play.
“Playing at 41 is—I think it’s been a good experience, because to reach this level, you have to give up a lot of things, and what I’ve done throughout my career is adapt to the nuances of aging, knowing that I wasn’t the same player I used to be,” he said. “But one thing is clear to me: nothing has changed, and I’m still scoring goals.”
