Cristiano Ronaldo responded to Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 exit after a 0-1 Round of 16 defeat to Spain, reflecting on what he has achieved in a Portugal shirt and insisting he will take time before making any immediate decisions about his future.
The 41-year-old, who has already confirmed this tournament was his last World Cup, said he was “sad” at the manner of Portugal’s elimination but stressed he would not act “in the heat of the moment” following the loss. The comments came as Ronaldo looked back on an international career that ends without a World Cup title, while also underlining the trophies he helped deliver for his country.
Ronaldo: “I will not be making any rash decisions”
Speaking after Monday’s defeat, Ronaldo said he felt he had given everything in what he described as his final World Cup appearance. “I am sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best, and I am leaving with a clear conscience,” he said.
Ronaldo reiterated that the 2026 tournament was his last World Cup, but he also made clear that he is not ready to make an immediate call on retirement in the aftermath of Portugal’s elimination. “It was my last World Cup, yes, but I will now have time to reflect and be with my family. I will not be making any rash decisions,” he said.
He added that he prefers to take major decisions only after careful consideration. “I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment,” Ronaldo said, as he outlined a measured approach to what comes next following Portugal’s exit.
Ronaldo highlights Portugal titles during his era
While acknowledging that the World Cup dream remained unfulfilled, Ronaldo used the moment to underline what he views as the defining achievements of his international career. He said he was responsible for helping Portugal win three titles, and contrasted that with the national team’s record before his time.
“I have won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title,” he said, pointing to Portugal’s UEFA Euro 2016 triumph and UEFA Nations League wins in 2019 and 2025 as the trophies he helped secure.
Ronaldo also placed particular emphasis on the significance of the European Championship success. “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,” he added.
Ronaldo praises Roberto Martinez after coach resigns
Ronaldo also addressed the departure of Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, who decided to resign immediately after the team’s World Cup exit. The forward spoke warmly about their time working together and offered his thanks as Martinez stepped away from the role.
“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…”
In his closing remarks, Ronaldo returned to the disappointment of going out of a major tournament, while also suggesting Portugal had been building momentum before the defeat to Spain. “It is always sad to be knocked out of a major tournament. It is the 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,” he said.
Portugal’s 0-1 loss to Spain ended Ronaldo’s World Cup journey, but his post-match message was focused on perspective: pride in what he believes he delivered for the national team, and patience as he considers what comes next beyond his final World Cup.