Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he was disappointed after Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday, but said he will take time before deciding his international future.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send Spain into the quarter-finals and end Portugal’s World Cup hopes.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo felt Spain had a bit of fortune on their side and said the game could easily have gone either way.
“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” Ronaldo said. “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.”
Although the 41-year-old confirmed it was his final World Cup, he stopped short of announcing his retirement from international football. Ronaldo said he did not want to make an emotional decision or shift the focus away from the team.
“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said.
Ronaldo also reflected on his achievements with Portugal, saying he was proud of what he had accomplished during his international career.
“I’ve won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title,” he said.
“The biggest title the national team has ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is just as significant to me as a World Cup.”
Portugal’s exit also marked the end of Roberto Martinez’s spell as head coach, and Ronaldo had nothing but praise for the Spaniard.
“I loved working with him,” Ronaldo said. “A great manager, a great human being, and what he’s done for Portugal is to be commended. I want to thank him and wish him every happiness.”
Ronaldo admitted it was painful to be knocked out of such a major tournament but believed Portugal had every reason to be proud of their performances.
“It’s always sad to be knocked out of a major tournament. It’s a World Cup. The team was really coming into its own. We played well, in my view. It could have gone either way, but that’s football. We have to pick ourselves up and carry on.”
“It’s frustrating to go out like this, but we can hold our heads high,” he added.
