Cristiano Ronaldo laboured through his last World Cup match Monday as the dream of winning the biggest prize of all ended in a 1-0 defeat to Spain and left him fighting back tears.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain and one of the best players of all time says he will now go away and think about what comes next.
He has won it all in a trophy-laden career at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and tasted European glory with his country.
But among his bulging trophy cabinet, there will be no World Cup winner’s medal, and he was largely ineffectual as he huffed and puffed through a disappointing last-16 clash in Texas.
“That’s football, that’s the life of a footballer,” he said, struggling to raise his voice above the crushing disappointment.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on.”
Ronaldo, the leading scorer in the history of men’s international football, said he would leave the World Cup stage “with a clear conscience”.
“The truth is, the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016 (EUROS), which for me is just as significant as a World Cup, honestly,” he said.
Ronaldo’s best World Cup run will always remain to the semifinals 20 years ago in 2026.
His display in a disappointing game summed up what the veteran talisman has become in recent years a shadow of the player who once struck fear into opponents.
He had three attempts at goal and was a peripheral figure playing through the centre of an ineffectual Portugal attack.
He scored three times at the tournament in North America in his World Cup farewell twice in a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan and from a penalty against Croatia in the last 32.
Ronaldo did not register a single assist at the tournament, and at one point against Spain, threw his hands up in the air as a teammate’s pass went astray.
He left the pitch at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on his own.
In recent years, the narrative around Ronaldo has shifted.
With his powers on the wane and lacking the mesmerising turn of foot and pace that were once his hallmark, he moved from the wings to a more traditional No 9 role.
Ronaldo and Portugal coach Roberto Martinez have been accused of dragging his international career out beyond its sell-by date.
Martinez made two double changes late on as they chased the game against Spain, but Ronaldo remained on the pitch regardless.
Speaking on the eve of the match, Ronaldo insisted: “I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup.”
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