Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career appeared to draw to a close with a cruel Spanish sting, as Mikel Merino’s stoppage time winner gave Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup round of 16 in Dallas on 6 July, ending Ronaldo’s sixth and likely final tournament without the trophy that continues to elude him.
Speaking in the mixed zone afterwards, Ronaldo reflected on Spain’s fortune in snatching victory through a substitute in the dying moments of a game he felt could have gone either way. “I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions,” he said.
The 41 year old stopped short of formally confirming his international retirement, insisting he did not want a personal decision to overshadow Portugal’s tournament in its immediate aftermath. “I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said.
Rather than dwell on the disappointment, Ronaldo chose to reflect on the wider legacy he leaves behind with his country. “I’ve won three titles for Portugal, before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title,” he said, pointing to the 2016 European Championship triumph and Nations League successes in 2019 and 2025 as the achievements that define his international career. He was unequivocal about which of those meant the most to him. “The greatest title I won for the national team was Euro 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup, sincerely, because of that,” he said.
Ronaldo was Portugal’s most threatening outlet even in defeat, forcing Unai Simon into two saves either half, the first stinging the goalkeeper’s palms from a tight angle, the second requiring a full length dive to keep out a rebounded effort. It marked the first time all tournament that Spain had faced a shot on target in the first half of any match. He could not add to his tally of 11 World Cup goals, however, and cut a largely peripheral figure for long stretches as Merino’s late intervention condemned Portugal to a familiar fate in the knockout rounds.
The numbers behind Ronaldo’s international career remain extraordinary regardless of the outcome in Dallas. His 233rd cap on Monday extended a record unmatched in the men’s game, as did his tally of 146 international goals. He is one of only two players to feature at six World Cups and the only one to have scored at six, having first appeared at the 2006 tournament in Germany. His 27 World Cup appearances rank second only to Lionel Messi’s 30, while his 11 goals remain two clear of any other Portugal player in the competition’s history. He also finally exorcised one lingering demon at this tournament, converting a penalty in the last 32 win over Croatia to become the oldest player in history to score beyond the group stage, at 41 years and 147 days.
Head coach Roberto Martinez, who has also confirmed he will step down after the tournament, was full of praise for his captain’s influence throughout his tenure. “He has been an exemplary captain. I got to Portugal at a time when there was a lot of confusion and questions about him. As far as his position, he has been an example in terms of the goals, but also the averages, the assists he has given in the attacks, counter attacks,” Martinez said. “The way he commits to football, he is a role model. He is someone to celebrate. We are talking about a football icon. There aren’t many Cristiano Ronaldos out there. We need to thank him for what he has done this World Cup. He is a prime example of football, an athlete, and the human being that is behind that athlete,” he added.
Whether or not Monday proves to be his final appearance in a Portugal shirt, the World Cup remains the one major honour to elude Ronaldo across an otherwise unmatched career. He would be well past his 45th birthday by the time the next tournament arrives in 2030, an age even he conceded on the eve of the match was beyond realistic consideration. For now, though, Ronaldo insisted the only reflection he needed was one of pride rather than regret.
