ARLINGTON, July 7 (Alliance News): Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning the FIFA World Cup came to an emotional end on Monday as Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, leaving the veteran captain in tears after what is expected to be his final appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
The 41-year-old Portugal star said he would now take time to reflect on his future after the heartbreaking exit, admitting the disappointment was difficult to accept.
“That’s football, that’s the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on,” Ronaldo said after the match.
Despite ending his World Cup journey without lifting the coveted trophy, Ronaldo said he leaves the tournament with “a clear conscience” and remains proud of his achievements with Portugal.
“The biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016. For me, it is just as significant as a World Cup,” he said, referring to Portugal’s UEFA European Championship triumph.
Ronaldo’s farewell World Cup campaign saw him score three goals, including two against Uzbekistan in the group stage and a penalty against Croatia in the Round of 32. However, he failed to make a decisive impact against Spain, managing three attempts on goal but struggling to influence the match as Portugal exited the tournament.
The defeat brought the curtain down on a remarkable World Cup career that began two decades ago. Ronaldo’s best performance at the tournament came in 2006 when Portugal reached the semi-finals.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history, Ronaldo has enjoyed an extraordinary career, winning league titles and UEFA Champions League trophies with Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus before joining Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
He is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football and has won five Ballon d’Or awards, while becoming one of the world’s most recognisable sporting figures.
In recent years, however, questions have been raised about whether Ronaldo should continue playing international football, with critics arguing that age has reduced his influence on the field.
Against Spain, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez made attacking substitutions in search of an equaliser but kept Ronaldo on the pitch until the final whistle.
Before the match, Ronaldo had insisted that his legacy would not depend on winning the World Cup.
“I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup,” he had said.
Although the World Cup trophy will remain the one major honour missing from his glittering career, Ronaldo leaves the global stage as one of football’s greatest-ever players.
