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An emotional Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch at AT&T Stadium in Texas with tears in his eyes as he applauded the crowd.
The soccer superstar was clearly soaking in the moment as he exited a World Cup match for the final time in his career after Portugal was knocked out of the Round of 16 in a 1-0 loss to Spain on Monday.
Ronaldo, 41, had said ahead of the match that the 2026 World Cup would, in fact, be the final one of his career after making his debut in the tournament in 2006. He has gone on to appear in six World Cups, making him the only other player to do so besides Argentine star Lionel Messi in the men’s World Cup.
Spain’s Mikel Merino scored the match’s only goal late in the second half to send his side to the quarterfinals and end Ronaldo’s heralded career in the tournament, although he will do so having never won a World Cup title.
Ronaldo joked during his announcement on Sunday that he hoped “tomorrow isn’t my last game.”
The Portugal superstar scored in each of the six World Cups he has appeared in and nearly scored in the 37th minute when a touch went dangerously toward the Spain net, forcing Unai Simón to make a diving save.
Ronaldo has not said whether or not he has played his final match for Portugal in international competition, but he stands as its all-time leader in international goals with 146 and appearances with 233.
“The day will come [when I retire from international football],” he said on Sunday. “But I’ll be honest. Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience, not 100 percent, but 1000 percent. Because I’ve given everything in football.
“I don’t need it, I have a good life, but it’s about passion. I play football because I love it … You have to enjoy every day. And I’ve scored three goals [at this World Cup], I’m not doing too badly, right?”
Ronaldo has been playing his club soccer for Al Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.
He signed with the club back in December 2023.
The next time that the World Cup takes place, it will be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco and Ronaldo will be 45 years old.
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