Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that he has played his last World Cup after Portugal were knocked out by Spain in the round of 16 of the 2026 tournament.
An emotional farewell
At the final whistle, the 41-year-old sank to the grass in tears. Players from both teams went over to console him, a sign of the respect he commands throughout football.
What he said
Speaking afterwards, Ronaldo said he was sad to leave the World Cup in this way, but that he had given everything and was leaving with a clear conscience. He confirmed that it had been his last World Cup, and said he would now take time to be with his family and think about his future.
He described the match as very even and suggested that Spain had enjoyed a little luck.
Twenty years of World Cups
Ronaldo made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, aged 21. That tournament saw Portugal reach the semi-finals for only the second time in their history, losing to France through a Zinedine Zidane penalty.
He went on to become the first player to score in six different World Cups:
- Germany 2006
- South Africa 2010
- Brazil 2014
- Russia 2018
- Qatar 2022
- United States, Canada and Mexico 2026
The trophy he values most
Ronaldo never won the World Cup, but he has often described Portugal’s victory at Euro 2016 as the high point of his international career — a triumph he considers as important as a World Cup.
What comes next
Ronaldo did not say whether he will continue to play for Portugal in other competitions, and indicated he would not take any hasty decisions about his future. He is expected to carry on playing club football.
Whatever he decides, his World Cup record — six tournaments with a goal in each, across two decades — is one that may never be matched.
