For all his records, Ronaldo could not crack the World Cup

Despite a career defined by records and longevity, Cristiano Ronaldo's quest for a World Cup title ended in heartbreak. The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar bowed out of his sixth World Cup with tears in his eyes following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16.

Mikel Merino's 91st-minute goal sealed Spain's victory in Arlington, Texas, ending Portugal's hopes. Ronaldo, who had confirmed on Sunday that this tournament would be his last, expressed no regrets about his extensive career, which has consistently pushed the boundaries of athletic performance.

Portugal's coach, Roberto Martinez, celebrated Ronaldo's dedication, calling him an icon of the sport. "We will always be grateful for what he tried to do at this World Cup, because the dream was to win the World Cup and he tried with an incredible example of leadership as a captain," Martinez said. "This is not the moment to look beyond what we're talking about: a soccer icon. There are not many Cristiano Ronaldos."

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We will always be grateful for what he tried to do at this World Cup, because the dream was to win the World Cup and he tried with an incredible example of leadership as a captain. This is not the moment to look beyond what we're talking about: a soccer icon. There are not many Cristiano Ronaldos.

Ronaldo's World Cup record stands at 27 appearances and 11 goals. His deepest run in the tournament was in 2006, when a 21-year-old Ronaldo was part of the team that reached the semi-finals. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente also expressed admiration, calling Ronaldo a role model for young people and acknowledging their mutual respect.

While Ronaldo largely avoided comparisons with Lionel Messi throughout the tournament, his World Cup story has now closed. The match against Spain saw the veteran play the full 90 minutes, attempting three shots but failing to find the net.

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I'm a great admirer of him, of his values, of what he stands for, of how he approaches the sport, and I think he's a role model for young people. Whenever we have the chance to be together, we acknowledge our mutual admiration and the pride we feel at knowing him.