United States – Sports Desk: Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end as Portugal were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Spain with a 1-0 defeat in extra time . Mikel Merino’s decisive goal in the 102nd minute sent Portugal crashing out, leaving the 41-year-old Ronaldo in tears on the pitch .
Ronaldo, who had previously announced that the 2026 World Cup would be his last global tournament, was visibly emotional at the final whistle . However, after the match, he stated that he would consult with his family before making a final decision about his future with the national team .
A Legacy Without a World Cup: The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 976 career goals and remains the only player to have scored in six different World Cups . Despite his incredible individual achievements, the ultimate prize has eluded him — his best performance came in 2006 when he led Portugal to the semi-finals .
Criticism and Questions: Throughout the tournament, questions were raised about Ronaldo’s continued inclusion in the starting lineup. Critics argued that his presence influenced coach Roberto Martinez’s selection choices, despite the squad featuring talented players like Goncalo Ramos, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes . Ronaldo scored three goals in this World Cup but faced criticism for his overall performance.
Coach Steps Down: Following the match, Coach Roberto Martinez announced his resignation from the position, describing Ronaldo as “a great icon of football” who gave his all to win the World Cup and set an outstanding example for young players.
