Cristiano confirms tearful farewell, says 2026 was his last World Cup | OneFootball

Cristiano confirmed his World Cup career is over after Portugal fell to Luis de la Fuente’s Spain in the 2026 last 16.

SPORT TV reports that in the mixed zone he said he had given everything, would continue with a clear conscience, and that this was his last World Cup, adding he would reflect with family before any other decisions.

He left the pitch in tears, with players from both teams moving to console him.

At 41, he accepts it would be very hard to reach the tournament to be staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and his sister had already hinted at the decision after the Colombia game.

He departs with a singular record, scoring in six different World Cups. His first came at Germany 2006 aged 21, when Portugal reached the semi-finals for only the second time before losing to France to a Zidane penalty.

This time Portugal arrived among the favourites on the back of standout seasons for Vitinha, João Neves and Nuno Mendes, though only the full-back matched the stage. Cristiano scored three goals and, for the first time, netted in a World Cup knockout tie, equalising against Croatia from the spot in the round of 32.

He described the Spain match as evenly poised, saying either side could have won and that Spain enjoyed a slice of luck. He also pointed to three trophies with Portugal, naming Euro 2016 as his greatest honour, one he regards as equal in weight to a World Cup.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo