Portugal football star Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup was the last of his career after Portugal’s dream of winning the tournament came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the pre-quarterfinals.
Spain secured victory through an injury-time goal by Mikel Merino, leaving Ronaldo in tears as he walked off the field following the final whistle.
Speaking to the media after the match, Ronaldo expressed disappointment over Portugal’s exit, saying he was saddened that his World Cup journey had ended in this manner. He said he had given everything on the field and tried to deliver his best performance, adding that he was leaving with a clear conscience. Ronaldo remarked that football is like life, where there are moments of success as well as defeat.
Responding to a question, Ronaldo confirmed that this was his final World Cup. He said he would now spend time with his family and calmly reflect on his future, adding that he would not make any hasty decisions.
The 41-year-old, however, did not clarify whether the match against Spain was also his final appearance for Portugal’s national team. He said he did not want to make any personal decision that could overshadow the team’s campaign and stressed that he does not make decisions based on emotions.
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Ronaldo, who played a key role in helping Portugal win the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, said he was proud of his service to the national team. He noted that he had represented Portugal for 23 years and helped the country win three major titles.
He described Portugal’s greatest achievement as winning the 2016 European Championship, saying that, in his view, its significance was equal to winning a World Cup.
Ronaldo also said that nothing was missing from his life and that God had blessed him with more than he had ever expected. He added that age brings maturity and experience and said he was grateful even for the criticism he had faced because it had made him stronger. According to Ronaldo, people had been trying to bring him down and criticize him for the past 23 years, but he had never paid much attention to it because it is part of the game. He also thanked the people of Portugal for always believing in him, saying they had never abandoned him and had always stood by his side.
Before Ronaldo’s era, Portugal had not won a single major international title.
During his 23-year career, Ronaldo has scored a combined 976 goals for club and country. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the UEFA Champions League five times and the UEFA European Championship once. Despite his remarkable achievements, the FIFA World Cup remains the only major trophy missing from his collection.
Ronaldo featured in six FIFA World Cups, with Portugal coming closest to lifting the trophy in the 2006 edition, when the team reached the semifinals. That tournament was also his first World Cup appearance.
He will be remembered among the greatest footballers in history who, despite extraordinary careers, were unable to win the World Cup.
If Ronaldo continues his international career, the next major tournament will be the 2028 UEFA European Championship, by which time he will be 43 years old.
