New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo reflected on his remarkable international career after Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, saying he leaves the tournament with a clear conscience despite falling short of the one major trophy that eluded him.
The 41 year old, who had already confirmed this would be his final World Cup, said he would not make any immediate decision about retiring from international football. Instead, he plans to spend time with his family before deciding on the next chapter of his career.
Expressing disappointment over Portugal’s exit, Ronaldo said he had given everything for his country and was proud of his contribution over the years. Reflecting on his achievements, he highlighted Portugal’s transformation into a successful international side during his career.
“I have won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title,” he said, referring to the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025. Ronaldo added that winning Euro 2016 remains just as meaningful to him as lifting the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal’s World Cup journey came to an end after Spain secured a dramatic victory through substitute Mikel Merino, whose stoppage time goal proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter. Ronaldo was visibly emotional after the final whistle as his dream of winning a World Cup came to an end.
The Portuguese captain also paid tribute to head coach Roberto Martinez, praising both his leadership and character after the coach stepped down following the team’s elimination. Ronaldo thanked Martinez for his contribution to Portuguese football and wished him success in the future.
Despite the disappointment, Ronaldo remained optimistic about the national team’s future, saying Portugal had performed well throughout the tournament and had developed into a strong side. He stressed that setbacks are part of football and that the team must regroup and move forward after another memorable World Cup campaign.
