DALLAS – Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that his FIFA World Cup journey has come to an end after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2026 tournament.
The Portugal captain announced that he would not return for another World Cup following his team’s elimination, describing the defeat as a disappointing way to end his career on football’s biggest stage.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said he was leaving with a “clear conscience” because he had given everything for his country throughout his international career.
The 41-year-old reflected on Portugal’s achievements during his time with the national team, highlighting the UEFA European Championship title and two UEFA Nations League triumphs. He said those successes were historic for Portugal and expressed pride in what the team had accomplished during his era. Ronaldo added that he would now spend time with his family before making any future decisions.
Spain secured their place in the quarter-finals through a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Mikel Merino. The decisive goal came after substitute Ferran Torres provided the assist, breaking the deadlock in a closely contested encounter at Dallas Stadium.
Both teams created opportunities during the match but were unable to score in regulation time. Spain came close through Mikel Oyarzabal and Alex Baena, while Portugal threatened through Cristiano Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes, whose deflected effort struck the crossbar. With the game seemingly heading for extra time, Merino’s low finish proved enough to separate the two sides.
Ronaldo’s World Cup career began in Germany in 2006 and concluded in the United States in 2026. Across six World Cup editions, he scored 11 goals in 27 matches and became the first men’s player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
