Ronaldo leaves Portugal undecided on future, confirms he has played his last World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he was heartbroken after Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to a dramatic end against Spain, but the 41-year-old insisted he will not rush into a decision on his international future despite confirming this is his last World Cup.
Substitute Mikel Merino struck in second-half stoppage time to hand Spain a 1-0 victory in the round of 16 on Monday, bringing Portugal’s title hopes to a painful end. While the defeat marked Ronaldo’s final appearance on football’s biggest stage, the Portugal captain stopped short of confirming that he had played his final game for the national team.
LAST WORLD CUP NOT LAST INT’L GAME
“I’m sad to leave the World Cup like this,” Ronaldo told reporters after the match.
“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 now I’ll have time to think and be with my family. I won’t make any hasty decisions.”
Portugal vs Spain, FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 16: Highlighting | Message
The veteran striker also felt Portugal were unlucky to concede in such dramatic circumstances and insisted Spain needed a bit of luck to find a breakthrough in a contest he believed could have gone either way.
“Spain were a bit lucky,” Ronaldo said. “It was a game that could have gone either way.
Defeat ended Ronaldo’s quest to win the only major trophy that had eluded him during an extraordinary career. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who scored three goals in the tournament, made a record sixth appearance at the World Cup without reaching the final.
FUTURE DECISIONS CAN WAIT
Even amid the disappointment of yet another World Cup exit, Ronaldo was adamant that he would not let emotions dictate his next move. While speculation about his retirement from the national team is sure to grow, the Portugal captain has made it clear that he will take time to think things through before deciding whether to continue representing his country.
“I don’t make rash decisions,” he said.
His comments leave open the possibility that he could play for Portugal again, even though his World Cup career is now officially over. For now, Ronaldo said he will focus on spending time with his family before making any announcements about his future.
PROUD OF WHAT HE HAS ACHIEVED
Despite the painful departure, Ronaldo wanted to remind everyone of what he believes is the lasting legacy of his international career. He pointed to Portugal’s unprecedented success during his time with the national team, captaining them to the UEFA Euro 2016 title, before adding UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025.
“I won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal didn’t win a single title,” he said.
“The biggest title the national team has ever won was the European Championship in 2016, which to be honest is as important to me as the World Cup.”
Whether Monday’s defeat will ultimately prove to be Ronaldo’s last appearance in Portugal remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is that his journey to the World Cup is over, closing a chapter in a tournament career that has spanned two decades and cemented his place among the greatest players the game has ever seen.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
07 Jul 2026 05:17 IST