Cristiano Ronaldo has played at his last FIFA World Cup, but says he won’t be making any “rash decisions” about his future with the Portugal national team.
Spain eliminated Portugal from the round of 16 on Monday after Mikel Merino scored a late winner in Arlington. They will now face Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Ronaldo was largely unimpactful on the game as Portugal failed to generate clear cut chances throughout the 90 minutes.
1 – Cristiano Ronaldo scored as many goals in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages as Harry Maguire (one each).
Cristiano Ronaldo puts international retirement on the long finger
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, who scored three goals in this summer’s tournament, confirmed that he won’t be at the next World Cup in 2030.
But the 41-year-old stopped short of saying that he will definitely retire from international football, raising the possibility of him hanging on for Euro 2028.
“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he 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.”
During the Ronaldo era, Portugal have fallen short of competing for the World Cup trophy; the closest they ever was reaching the semi-finals in Germany, 20 years ago.
But the forward played down his failure in the competition, arguing that winning the European Championship with Portugal is “just as significant”.
“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.
“I leave with clear conscience and giving my best to Portugal. Tomorrow will be a new day and then life will go on.”
