Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged that he has played his last game in the World Cup, though he has yet to determine his next steps at the age of 41. This marks the conclusion of his illustrious World Cup journey, which began 23 years ago, culminating in a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain in Dallas that led to Portugal’s elimination. Ronaldo leaves the tournament as the only player to score in six World Cups, feeling a sense of peace as he reflects on his career, emphasizing that Portugal’s 2016 European Championship victory holds equal significance to a World Cup title and highlighting that his tenure has been the most successful in the nation’s football history.
“I go with a clear conscience. This is football, it is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to carry on. It was my last World Cup, yes, but as far as the rest of it is concerned: there will be time to think, to be with my family, [I will] not make decisions in the heat of the moment. “I will wake up tomorrow the same way I woke up today: with a clear conscience. I gave my all. I won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a big trophy. The best trophy I won with the national team was 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup. So I repeat: I leave here with a clear conscience. Tomorrow will be another day and life goes on.”
The Portugal manager, Roberto Martínez, praised the veteran forward despite a lackluster performance against Spain. “I had a word of thanks to him,” Martínez remarked. “He has been an exemplary captain. I arrived when there was a lot of confusion and questions in terms of his position in the team. But he has been an example not only in the number of goals he has scored, but also in the counterattacks he leads. He is an example, a role model to follow. He is a football icon. There aren’t many Ronaldos out there.
“He has been an exemplary captain. I arrived when there was a lot of confusion and questions in terms of his position in the team. But he has been an example not only in the number of goals he has scored, but also in the counterattacks he leads. He is an example, a role model to follow. He is a football icon. There aren’t many Ronaldos out there. “His dream was to win this World Cup and he did this by being an amazing example within the dressing room,” the manager added. “He is a prime example of football, the athlete, and the human being who is behind that athlete.”
Martínez dismissed any notion that he should have substituted Ronaldo during what became his final World Cup match. “When you are a team who need a goal you cannot take him off,” he explained. “He’s physically very capable, in open space, and from dead balls; anything in the box, you need his experience.
“He’s physically very capable, in open space and from dead balls; anything in the box, you need his experience. “Probably in extra time would be when you might use the energy of Gonçalo Ramos. Today, we had to keep the structure. It’s not the time to take your centre-forward, your best goalscorer off.”
The defeat also marked Martínez’s last game as Portugal’s manager. “I am proud. We played one of the favourites eye-to-eye. The journey we had to be able to play like this. I feel immense pride. Immense pride in our personality and focus.” he stated. “He’s an exceptional player,”
Luis de la Fuente, the coach for Spain, expressed his satisfaction with the contribution of substitute Mikel Merino. “one of the best in his position worldwide. He’s given us a fantastic performance and a fantastic goal. I would go and pick him up and carry him to the national squad if I had to. The contribution of our substitutes has been enormous throughout the tournament.” he noted, “one of the best in his position worldwide. He’s given us a fantastic performance and a fantastic goal. I would go and pick him up and carry him to the national squad if I had to. The contribution of our substitutes has been enormous throughout the tournament.”
