DALLAS: Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo said he will take time to reflect on his international future following Portugal’s exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo expressed his disappointment following Portugal’s Round of 16 elimination
“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he said.
The 41-year-old confirmed that this was his final World Cup but said he would not rush into making a decision on his retirement.
“I gave it my all. I did my best, and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions,” he said.
Despite the defeat, the Al-Nassr striker said he remained at peace with what he had achieved during his international career.
“I will wake up tomorrow with same mood as I did today. I did my best. I won three titles with Portugal, before me it was ZERO titles. I can only be happy”.
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He also highlighted the importance of Portugal’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2016.
“I’ve won Euro 2016 and for me it has same dimension as the World Cup That remains forever. Tomorrow is a new day, and we go, ” he concluded.
Cristiano Ronaldo played in six editions of the FIFA World Cup, becoming the first player to score in six different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026).
He is also Portugal’s most-capped player in World Cup history, with 27 tournament appearances, during which he scored 11 goals for his country.
His penalty kick against Croatia was his first goal in the World Cup knockout stage and made him the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history at 41 years and 147 days.
Overall, he is the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history after Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored against Russia in 1994.
