Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup ended with a Spanish puncture in the tail, courtesy of Mikel Merino’s last-gasp effort that earned him a 1-0 last-16 victory on Monday, but he was not about to make a hasty decision about his international future.
Ronaldo told reporters in the mixed zone that Spain were “a bit lucky” to score through substitute Merino in the dying moments of a match he felt could have gone either way.
“It saddens me to leave the World Cup like this,” he said.
“I gave it my all. I did the best I could and I leave with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but now I will have time to reflect and be with my family. I will not make hasty decisions.”
The 41-year-old did not confirm whether he had played his last game for Portugal, saying he did not want a personal decision to overshadow the team’s campaign.
“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said.
Ronaldo, who helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, said he was proud of his contribution to the national team.
“I have won three titles with Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal had not won a single title,” he said.
“The most important title that the national team has won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, honestly, for me is as important as a World Cup.”
Portugal’s departure also came with the departure of Roberto Martínez as coach, with Ronaldo offering warm words for the Spaniard.
“I loved working with him,” he said. “A great coach, a great human being, and what he has done for Portugal is worthy of praise. I want to thank him and wish him all the happiness…
“It’s always sad to be eliminated from a big tournament. It’s a World Cup. The team was really improving. In my opinion, we played well. It could have been anything, but that’s football. We have to get up and move on.
“It’s frustrating to go out like this, but we can keep our heads up,” added the Al Nassr striker.
