After 23 years representing his country at the highest level, Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged that his journey at the FIFA World Cup has reached its end. The Portugal captain’s 233rd international appearance concluded in a narrow 1-0 loss to Spain in Dallas, a result that ended his nation’s tournament campaign. Despite the painful exit, the 41-year-old forward expressed no regrets, insisting he departs with his conscience entirely at ease.
Ronaldo enters the record books as the sole footballer to have found the net at six separate World Cup editions — a milestone that underscores the extraordinary longevity of his international career. Yet even as he reflected on this historic chapter closing, he stopped short of announcing retirement from football altogether, stating that decisions of such magnitude would not be made in the immediate aftermath of defeat.
The veteran striker acknowledged the weight of the moment while maintaining composure. He pointed to Portugal‘s European Championship triumph in 2016 as a crowning achievement he considers equivalent in stature to a World Cup title, and reminded observers that the current generation has delivered the most decorated era in Portuguese football history.
Ronaldo’s Farewell Words: Clarity Over Regret
“I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything, always given my best,” Ronaldo said following the final whistle in Dallas. “I go with a clear conscience. This is football, it is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to carry on.”
The forward confirmed that this was indeed his final World Cup, while deliberately leaving open the question of his broader footballing future. “There will be time to think, to be with my family,” he said. “I will not make decisions in the heat of the moment.” He pledged to wake the following morning with the same sense of inner peace, reiterating that he had given everything to the cause.
Ronaldo also reflected on his collective achievements with the national side. “I won three titles with Portugal,” he noted. “Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a big trophy. The best trophy I won with the national team was 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup. So I repeat: I leave here with a clear conscience. Tomorrow will be another day and life goes on.”
Martínez Defends Ronaldo and His Own Tactical Choices
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez offered an emphatic endorsement of Ronaldo‘s contribution, both on and off the pitch. “I had a word of thanks to him,” Martínez said. “He has been an exemplary captain. I arrived when there was a lot of confusion and questions in terms of his position in the team. But he has been an example not only in the number of goals he has scored, but also in the counterattacks he leads.”
The Spanish manager described Ronaldo as a benchmark for the sport as a whole. “He is an example, a role model to follow. He is a football icon. There aren’t many Ronaldos out there,” Martínez said. “His dream was to win this World Cup and he did this by being an amazing example within the dressing room. He is a prime example of football, the athlete, and the human being who is behind that athlete.”
When questioned about his decision not to withdraw Ronaldo from the pitch during what turned out to be the forward’s final World Cup match, Martínez was unequivocal. “When you are a team who need a goal you cannot take him off,” he explained. “He’s physically very capable, in open space and from dead balls; anything in the box, you need his experience.” The coach acknowledged that Gonçalo Ramos might have been introduced in extra time to inject fresh energy, but maintained that preserving the team’s structure took precedence. “It’s not the time to take your centre-forward, your best goalscorer off,” he added.
Martínez Departs as Portugal Manager
The defeat in Dallas also marked the conclusion of Roberto Martínez‘s tenure as Portugal national team manager. Rather than expressing disappointment, the coach chose to frame the experience in terms of pride. “I am not disappointed,” he said. “I am proud. We played one of the favourites eye-to-eye.”
Martínez spoke of the journey the squad had undertaken to reach the level of performance they displayed against Spain. “I feel immense pride. Immense pride in our personality and focus,” he said, drawing a line under his time in charge of the national side with a sense of fulfilment rather than frustration.
Spain Celebrate as Merino Proves the Difference
From the opposing camp, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was effusive in his praise for substitute Mikel Merino, whose goal from the bench proved decisive in securing the victory. “He’s an exceptional player,” de la Fuente said. “One of the best in his position worldwide. He’s given us a fantastic performance and a fantastic goal.”
The Spain manager went so far as to say he would personally go and collect Merino to ensure his place in the national squad. “I would go and pick him up and carry him to the national squad if I had to,” he said. De la Fuente also highlighted the broader contribution of his substitutes throughout the tournament, describing their collective impact as enormous.
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