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Rabat – Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is leaving the World Cup with a “clear conscience” after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16.
Spain advanced to the quarterfinals after Mikel Merino scored a late winner in Dallas, ending Portugal’s campaign and closing Ronaldo’s World Cup story.
The 41-year-old confirmed that the 2026 tournament was his last World Cup, although he said he will take time before making any decision about his wider international future.
Ronaldo: I gave everything
Speaking after the defeat, Ronaldo said he had no regrets about what he gave to Portugal.
“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he said. “I gave it my all. I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience.”
The Portugal captain said football, like life, sometimes brings victory and sometimes defeat.
He added that he would not make an emotional decision immediately after the match, saying he wanted time to reflect with his family.
Ronaldo also spoke with pride about what he achieved with Portugal across more than two decades.
He said he had played 23 years with the national team and won three titles.
“Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything,” Ronaldo said, referring to the country’s first major trophies during his era.
Portugal won Euro 2016 and later lifted the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Ronaldo said the 2016 European Championship title remains the biggest achievement of his international career.
He even described it as having the same importance as a World Cup for him.
End of a World Cup era
Ronaldo’s World Cup career began in 2006 and lasted six tournaments.
During the 2026 edition, he became the first player to score in six different World Cups.
He also scored his first World Cup knockout goal earlier in the tournament, converting a penalty against Croatia before Portugal set up the Spain meeting.
But the trophy that he wanted most never arrived.
Spain’s win ended Portugal’s run and left Ronaldo with one final World Cup goodbye.
