Ronaldo confirms final World Cup after Portugal defeat to Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo has played his final World Cup match, closing a transformative 23-year chapter in Portuguese public life after a late elimination.
Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed his World Cup career is over. The announcement came after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in Dallas eliminated the team from the tournament.
The 41-year-old captain’s 233rd international appearance ended when substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner for Spain. It was a quiet individual performance from Ronaldo, but manager Roberto Martínez defended his presence on the pitch until the final whistle.
Ronaldo’s departure marks the end of a defining era that fundamentally shifted Portugal’s standing in global sport and public life. Before his emergence, the nation had never won a major international trophy. He departs the World Cup stage as the only player to have scored at six separate tournaments, having led the country to three titles overall.
“The best trophy I won with the national team was 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup,” Ronaldo said. “I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything, always given my best. I go with a clear conscience.”
The defeat also concluded Martínez’s tenure as Portugal manager. He praised the collective effort of his squad against a heavily favoured Spanish side, framing the elimination as a measure of progress rather than failure. “I’m not disappointed,” Martínez said. “I am proud. We played one of the favourites eye-to-eye.”
Martínez dismissed any criticism of keeping the veteran forward on the pitch. “When you are a team who need a goal you cannot take him off,” Martínez said. “He has been an exemplary captain. He is a football icon. There aren’t many Ronaldos out there.”
For Spain, the victory continues a strong tournament run built on squad depth. Coach Luis de la Fuente singled out Merino’s impact. “He’s an exceptional player, one of the best in his position worldwide,” De la Fuente said.
While his World Cup journey is finished, Ronaldo stopped short of announcing a full international retirement. He noted he would take time to consider his next steps with his family before making any decisions.
