Cristiano Ronaldo's Big Soul: Leave the Last World Cup with a Clean Heart
JAKARTA - Emotional Cristiano Ronaldo said he had a clear conscience when he left his last World Cup after Portugal were knocked out by Spain 0-1 in the 2026 World Cup 16th round in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, early morning WIB.
Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game in the first minute of injury time in the second half to send Spain into the quarter-finals with a victory over their Iberian rivals.
After the final whistle, an emotional Ronaldo wiped away tears as he applauded the fans at the Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium).
The 41-year-old's World Cup career ended with 27 appearances - second only to Argentina's Lionel Messi (30) - but without a Jules Rimet trophy in his collection.
He confirmed to reporters after the match that it was his last World Cup, but has not ruled out returning to defend the Portuguese National Team (Timnas).
"I'm sad to leave the World Cup this way. As I said yesterday, I've given my best."
"I leave this with a clear conscience. That's the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to keep going."
"To be honest, this is my last World Cup, yes. However, for the rest, there is time to think, to be with my family, and not say things in a moment of emotion," he said.
Ronaldo is attempting to lead Portugal to the quarter-finals for the second time in a row. On the other hand, the career on the biggest football stage has ended for the all-time top scorer (146) and most appearances (233).
He helped Portugal win the Euro in 2016 as well as two UEFA Nations League titles, but the World Cup remains a difficult prize to win. Ronaldo's best achievement at the World Cup was the semi-final in the 2006 edition, his debut in the tournament.
"How do I wake up? The same, with a clean heart. I've done my best. I've won three titles for Portugal."
"Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. Honestly, this is the best title. I won (Euro) with the Portuguese National Team in 2016."
"For me, (Euro) is as big as the World Cup, honestly. I repeat, I leave this with a clean heart. That's all. Tomorrow will be a new day and life goes on," said the Al Nassr player.
Ronaldo's last appearance on the biggest football stage came eight years after he scored a World Cup hat-trick at the age of 33.
It happened in a 3-3 draw against Spain in the opening match of the group stage which was considered one of the best matches of the tournament even though the two strong teams did not reach the knockout stage.
He scored 11 goals at the World Cup, ranking ninth on the list of all-time top scorers.
"He has been an exemplary captain. I arrived with Portugal at a time of much confusion and doubt about Cristiano."
"He has been a role model, not only with goals and assists, but what he does in the penalty area, his commitment, and how he lives football. He is an example, we have to celebrate him."
"We are talking about a football icon. There are not many Cristiano Ronaldo. We have to be grateful for what he has done in this World Cup."
"He wants to win it, as a player, captain, and as a human being, we will always remember him. An example as a human being who is a sportsman," said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, about Ronaldo after the match.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is the only player to score in six World Cups and to score three goals in the 2026 edition.
However, Ronaldo did not have many chances against Unai Simon of Spain, who extended his World Cup record to 609 minutes without conceding.
Even so, Martinez defended the decision to keep Ronaldo on for the full 90 minutes.
"When you are a team and you need a goal, you can't pull Cristiano Ronaldo out. He can play 90 minutes, no problem."
"He has a strong presence, he opens up space, in dead ball situations, anything inside the box, it wouldn't make sense if he was out."
"In injury time it might make more sense to use Goncalo Ramos. We have to maintain the structure of the game, not the time to pull our top scorer in the 90th minute," said Martinez.