Cristiano Ronaldo breaks down in tears as Portugal’s World Cup dream ends – Watch

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo) Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable World Cup journey came to an emotional end on Monday as Portugal knocked out Spain in the round of 16, bringing the curtain down on the legendary striker’s sixth and final appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The 41-year-old left the pitch visibly emotional after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat. He waved briefly to the traveling supporters before wiping away tears, fully aware that his World Cup career had come to an end. Reflecting on the defeat, Ronaldo admitted the disappointment was hard to hide. “Sad – it’s normal after a sending-off like that,” Ronaldo said after the match, moments after briefly covering his eyes with his right hand. Although his World Cup chapter is over, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he has no regrets about what he has given for his country. “I gave my all, I gave my best and I leave with a clear conscience,” he said. “This is football, this is life for a footballer. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.” Ronaldo expressed before the game that he hopes his latest World Cup campaign will continue and wants to enjoy every moment. However, after Portugal’s exit, he reaffirmed that this tournament will indeed be his last on the world stage. While he has ruled out another World Cup appearance, Ronaldo stopped short of revealing what comes next in his playing career. “Yes, it was my last World Cup, but I will have time to think about everything else, be with my family and not make any hot-headed decisions and move on with life,” he said. The Portugal captain came close to finding the net against Spain. His best opportunity came in the first half when Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón made a spectacular save, leaping high before reaching out to win the ball with both hands. Ronaldo had three shots in total, with two forcing saves from the Spanish goalkeeper, including an acrobatic overhead kick after João Félix’s header bounced off Simón’s shoulder. Portugal coach Roberto Martínez paid an emotional tribute to Ronaldo after the match, praising both his impact on the team and his lasting legacy in the sport. “He is an example, a role model to follow. This is someone we have to celebrate. We are talking about a football icon,” Martínez said. “There aren’t too many Cristiano Ronaldos out there. I think we have to thank him. His dream was to win the World Cup and he set an amazing example in the dressing room. Although Ronaldo has never lifted a World Cup trophy, his influence on Portuguese football remains unsurpassed. Portugal had not won a major international title before his era, but under his leadership they won the 2016 European Championship and later added UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025. Ronaldo’s World Cup final also added another chapter to his extraordinary record book. He remains the only player to score in six consecutive World Cups and continues to hold the record for international goals with 146. He finished his World Cup career with 11 goals, tied for ninth in the tournament’s all-time scoring. One of his most iconic World Cup moments came in 2018 when he scored a stunning hat-trick against Spain in a memorable 3-3 draw in the group stage. At 33, he became the oldest player to score a hat-trick at the World Cup, a record that stood until Lionel Messi, 38, netted three times for Argentina against Algeria on June 16. Despite ending his World Cup dream in heartbreak, Ronaldo leaves the tournament as one of its greatest ever players, with a legacy that goes far beyond goals and records.