“Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything”: Ronaldo reflects but won’t rush decision on future after World Cup exit | OneFootball

Portugal captan Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is undecided on whether to retire from international football but conceded his World Cup dream is over after defeat to Spain.

Ronaldo and Portugal exited the 2026World Cup in the last 16 after a late defeat to Spain, as Mikel Merino slid in a stoppage-time winner for the European champions in Texas.

The 1-0 defeat brought an end to Portugal's campaign and Ronaldo's World Cup career, with the 41-year-old admitting he has played his final game in the tournament.

Ronaldo will be remembered, arguably, as the greatest player never to win the World Cup, but has refused to rule out extending a Portugal career that has spanned a record-breaking 233 caps and 146 goals.

Discussing his future, Ronaldo said he is proud of his achievements in a Portugal shirt, having led his country to their first-ever major tournament successes.

"I'm sad to be leaving the World Cup like this," he said to the media at full-time.

"I gave it my all. I did my best. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won't be making any rash decisions.

"I don't decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue [to play]. Tomorrow I will get up the same way I got up today: with a clear conscience.

"I played 23 years in the national team and won three titles. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The Euros was the most important. For me, 2016 has the same dimension as a World Cup, honestly."

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez, who revealed he will be leaving his role, praised Ronaldo for his leadership and commitment to the cause.

"A word of thanks, because he was an exemplary captain,"Martinez said.

"Not ⁠just in terms of goals - the statistics speak for ​themselves - but also in terms of assists.

"It's his day-to-day ​commitment, the way he lives and breathes football. He's an ​example and something we must celebrate.

"We will always be grateful for what he tried to do at this World Cup, because the dream was to win ​the World Cup and he tried with an incredible example of leadership as a captain," Martinez said.

"This is not the moment to look beyond what we're talking about: a soccer icon. There are not many Cristiano Ronaldos."