Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will not rush into making any major decision about his future after Portugal’s World Cup journey came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Monday.
The Portugal captain, who had already confirmed before the round of 16 clash that the tournament would be his last World Cup, said he plans to take time away to reflect, be with his family and carefully consider what comes next in his career.
Speaking after Portugal’s exit, Ronaldo made it clear that he does not intend to act in haste. The 41 year old said this was indeed his final appearance at the World Cup, but stressed that he would give himself time to think about the next chapter of his life rather than make emotional decisions in the heat of the moment.
According to him, football comes with both triumph and heartbreak, and players must learn to accept both. He said moments like this are part of the game and part of a footballer’s journey, adding that life must continue regardless of the disappointment.
Ronaldo also said he would leave the World Cup stage with no regrets, insisting that he has a clear conscience about what he gave to Portugal over the years. While he never got his hands on the World Cup trophy, he pointed to Portugal’s 2016 European Championship triumph as a career defining achievement that carries deep personal meaning for him.
He said winning the Euros with Portugal remains one of the proudest moments of his career and, in his view, stands on the same level of importance as a World Cup title. For Ronaldo, that success with the national team remains a lasting source of fulfilment, even as his World Cup story comes to a close without the ultimate prize.
With Portugal now out of the tournament, the veteran forward said he is leaving the stage at peace with himself and ready to embrace whatever comes next. Though his World Cup dream has ended, Ronaldo’s place in football history remains secure after a remarkable international career that saw him become Portugal’s talisman and the leading scorer in men’s international football.
Ronaldo was part of Portugal’s golden moments over the past two decades, including their European Championship success, but World Cup glory ultimately eluded him. His best run in the competition came 20 years ago when Portugal reached the semi finals, a milestone that remained the closest he came to lifting football’s biggest prize.
