Cristiano Ronaldo left the field at AT&T Stadium in Texas visibly emotional, with tears in his eyes as fans applauded him.
The soccer icon took in the gravity of the moment after Portugal’s exit from the World Cup, having lost 1-0 to Spain in the final match of his career, which meant they didn’t make it past the last 16.
Ronaldo, who’s now 41, indicated before this game that the 2026 World Cup would mark the end of his playing days. Since his debut in 2006, he has participated in six World Cups, joining only Lionel Messi in this exclusive group.
Spain’s Mikel Merino scored the game’s sole goal late in the second half, allowing Spain to progress to the quarter-finals and officially concluding Ronaldo’s notable career, during which he never captured a World Cup title.
During a pre-match announcement, Ronaldo even joked, saying, “I hope tomorrow is not my last game.”
Despite the loss, Ronaldo has made his mark in all six World Cups, coming close to scoring in the 37th minute, where his shot nearly found the net but was saved by goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Though he hasn’t confirmed if he has played his last international match for Portugal, he holds the record for the most international goals with 146 and appearances with 233.
He mentioned, “That day will come [when I retire from international football]. No matter what happens tomorrow, I’ll leave with a clear conscience—not 100 percent, but 1000 percent—because I have given everything to soccer.”
Ronaldo commented on his passion for the game, stating, “I don’t need trophies. I have a good life, but it’s about passion. I play football because I love football… Every day must be enjoyed. And I scored three goals [in this World Cup]. I’m not that bad, am I?”
Currently, he plays club soccer for Al Nasr in the Saudi Professional League, having signed with the team in December 2023.
The next World Cup will be hosted jointly by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, at which point Ronaldo will be 45 years old.
