The tears were still fresh when Cristiano Ronaldo faced the media after Portugal’s 1-0 Round of 16 exit to Spain, a Mikel Merino goal in the 90th minute ending the 41-year-old’s sixth and final World Cup campaign.
There was no doubting the significance of the moment. Ronaldo confirmed it had been his last World Cup, but said he would take time to think things over, stay with his family, and let life continue before deciding on his international future.
He was in no mood for regret. Ronaldo pointed out he had already won three trophies with Portugal, at a time when the nation had never lifted a title before he arrived, and said that was something to be happy about.
He rated Portugal’s 2016 European Championship win as being on the same level as a World Cup for him personally, which is why he said he could leave with a calm conscience.
Asked directly whether this also marked the end of his Portugal career, he didn’t bite. Ronaldo said he couldn’t confirm whether it was his last match for the national team, stressing that he doesn’t make decisions in the heat of the moment or based on emotion.
“It’s normal to be sad, to exit the FIFA World Cup like this, but as I said in the press conference, I’ve given everything and I leave with a clear conscience, that’s football, this is the life of a footballer,” Ronaldo said.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and we just have to keep going. The truth is that it was my last World Cup – but the rest? I will take the time to think, talk to my family and not think impulsively with a hot head and go on with life.”
Ronaldo became the first and only player to score at six different World Cups – 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 – after his brace helped Portugal thrash Uzbekistan 5-0 in the group stage.
His penalty against Croatia made him the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout-stage history at 41 years and 147 days.
Whatever comes next for Ronaldo and the national team, Monday night in Dallas was the closing chapter of a World Cup story that began in Germany two decades ago.