Cristiano Ronaldo bids farewell to World Cup after Portugal's exit

Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup journey concluded with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 Round of 16. Mikel Merino's goal in the 90+1 minute sealed Portugal's exit and, for Ronaldo, the end of an era.

Visibly emotional after the final whistle, the legendary forward could not hold back tears as he processed the defeat. This tournament was widely anticipated to be his last on the global stage, bringing a somber close to his extensive World Cup participation.

Ronaldo, playing his 27th and final World Cup match for Portugal, leaves behind a legacy of remarkable records. He became the first male player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. Additionally, he is the first footballer to surpass 25 goals combined across World Cup and European Championship competitions.

Earlier in the 2026 tournament, Ronaldo also set a record as the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout stage match, finding the net against Croatia. His departure marks a significant moment for Portuguese football, closing a chapter defined by his unparalleled contributions.

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This is my last World Cup. I don't want to draw attention to it because I don't think this is the most important thing.