Ronaldo Bows Out of World Cups as Portugal Fall to Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will not play at another World Cup after Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the round of 16 in Dallas, ending a 23-year international tournament journey for the 41-year-old captain.
The result, reported by The Guardian, brings down the curtain on Ronaldo’s World Cup career having become the only player in history to score at six separate World Cup finals. His 233rd appearance for Portugal proved to be his last at the tournament, though he stopped short of declaring full international retirement, saying he would “not make decisions in the heat of the moment” and would take time with family before deciding on his future.
“I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything, always given my best,” Ronaldo said. He credited Portugal’s 2016 European Championship win as equal in significance to a World Cup triumph, noting that prior to his era the country had never won a major trophy.
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez, who is stepping down following the defeat, dismissed suggestions that Ronaldo should have been substituted during the match. He argued that when a team is chasing a goal, removing their most experienced striker makes little sense, pointing to Ronaldo’s threat from dead-ball situations and in the box. Martínez was full of praise for his captain, describing him as “a football icon” and “an example not only in the number of goals he has scored, but also in the counterattacks he leads.”
The winning goal came from Spain substitute Mikel Merino, whose contribution drew high praise from Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who described him as one of the best players in his position in the world.
For UK punters keeping tabs on the tournament, Portugal’s exit leaves the top half of the draw with one fewer unpredictable factor. Spain will now progress to the quarter-finals as one of the pre-tournament favourites. You can follow all the remaining action at our World Cup 2026 hub and keep an eye on the latest live standings as the knockout rounds continue.
Whether Ronaldo pulls on the Portugal shirt again remains to be seen, but his World Cup story is now definitively closed — on his own terms, if not in the result he wanted.