06/07/2026 21:26 - Deportes
In a day that will be etched in the memory of football fans, the Portugal National Team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after falling 1-0 to Spain in the Round of 16. The match, decided in agonizing fashion, marked the end of the World Cup journey for one of the greatest exponents in the history of the sport.
At the end of the match played on July 6, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, did not hide his dismay. The Portuguese captain left the pitch with his face full of tears, his eyes fixed on the ground, and a look of deep sadness. With the captain's armband in his hand and his head down, he walked alone towards the locker room, taking in the World Cup atmosphere for the last time in his illustrious career.
I leave with a clear conscience, this is football, it's a footballer's life. It was my last World Cup, but I'll have time to think about the rest and not make decisions with a hot head.
In the subsequent press conference, the star made a comparison that reflects his pride in his trajectory with the Portuguese national team: I have won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had won nothing. The biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016 (the Euro) which, for me, has the same dimension as a World Cup.
This vision highlights the transformative impact he had on his country's football, guiding Portugal to European glory in 2016 after beating France 1-0 with a historic goal from Éder. Throughout his career, he accumulated 146 goals and 37 official assists with the national team.
In his sixth World Cup appearance, Ronaldo scored 3 goals, managing for the first time to score in a knockout match (against Croatia in the Round of 32). His best record with the Portuguese team in this tournament was reaching the semifinals in Germany 2006.
| World Cups Played | Matches Played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 28 | 11 | 2 |
Source: TYC Sports #mundial-2026
Alfredo S. Quiroga
