Cristiano Ronaldo stated at Dallas Stadium that after Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup in the Round of 16 against Spain, he will not be competing in a seventh global final.
With 27 games, the 41-year-old’s World Cup career finishes second only to Argentina’s Lionel Messi (30), but without the one major trophy he lacks.
He scored 11 goals in 27 games and reached many milestones, including becoming the first player to score in six editions. In the current edition, he scored three goals, including two in Portugal’s 5-0 opening statement against Uzbekistan, and his first-ever World Cup knockout goal, a penalty that sent Portugal past Croatia in the last 32.
“I’m fine, sad to go out of the World Cup like this. But, as I mentioned in the press conference yesterday, I did my best and I leave with a clear conscience, he told SportTV following the game.
The existence of a football player is like that. Sometimes we lose, sometimes we win, and we must keep trying. The fact is that this was my final World Cup, and I’ll now have time to spend with my family so that I don’t make snap judgments.
The 41-year-old first competed in the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2006, when he scored his first tournament goal against Iran and contributed to Portugal’s first semi-final in 40 years. In addition to scoring at least one goal, he went on to play at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, South Africa 2010, and Qatar 2022.
I’ll wake up tomorrow with a clear conscience. I earned two UEFA Nations League championships and one European Championship for Portugal. Portugal had never won any championships prior to Cristiano. Hence, I go with a clear conscience. I tried my best. Life continues on, and tomorrow will be a different day.
Ronaldo assisted Portugal in winning the European Championship in 2016 and two UEFA Nations League crowns, but the World Cup continued to be out of reach.
Ronaldo’s World Cup debut occurred in 2006, when he made it to the semifinals, his deepest run ever.