‘The Euros are as important to me as the World Cup’: Cristiano Ronaldo sparks debate after Portugal exit

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Cristiano Ronaldo has said that Portugal’s historic triumph at Euro 2016 has the same emotional value for him as winning the FIFA World Cup, despite the World Cup being widely regarded as football’s highest prize. The Portugal captain made the comments following his country’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in the Round of 16, a result that ended his sixth and final FIFA World Cup campaign. Mikel Merino’s injury-time winner dashed Portugal’s hopes and brought the curtain down on Ronaldo’s long pursuit of the only major trophy that has eluded him in his glittering career. Speaking after the match, the 41-year-old admitted he was deeply disappointed to leave the tournament without lifting the World Cup, but insisted he had no regrets about his efforts. “I’m sad to leave the World Cup like this. 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 wouldn’t make any hasty decisions.” Ronaldo added that he would not let the emotions of the defeat affect any decisions about his future. “I don’t make rash decisions,” he said. Reflecting on his achievements with Portugal, Ronaldo pointed out that the national team had never won a major international title before his generation. While acknowledging the prestige of the World Cup, he explained that ending Portugal’s trophy drought by winning Euro 2016 remains just as important to him on a personal level. “I won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal didn’t win a single title. The biggest title the national team ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is as important to me as the World Cup,” he said. During his international career, Ronaldo helped Portugal lift the UEFA European Championship in 2016 before adding UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, transforming the country’s fortunes on the international stage. Defeat to Spain also spelled the end of Roberto Martinez as Portugal head coach after the Spaniard confirmed he would step down after the World Cup exit. Ronaldo reserved warm words for Martinez, praising both his work with the national team and his character. “I enjoyed working with him,” Ronaldo said. “A great manager, a great human being and what he has done for Portugal deserves praise. I want to thank him and wish him the best of luck.” Looking back on Portugal’s elimination, Ronaldo felt his team showed enough quality to progress, even if the result ultimately went against them. “It’s always sad to go out of a big tournament. It’s the World Cup. The team really came into their own. From my point of view, we played well. It could have gone either way, but that’s football. We have to pick ourselves up and continue,” he said. Although Ronaldo’s bid to win the World Cup ended in heartbreak, he has made it clear that Portugal’s breakthrough triumph at Euro 2016 remains the defining achievement of his international career and, in his own eyes, holds the same emotional significance as the sport’s biggest prize.