Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after his international career came to an end following Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup Round of 16. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, 41, had hoped to lead his country to glory in what was widely expected to be his final tournament.
Match Decided by Late Spain Winner
Spain secured the victory with a late goal, ending Portugal's campaign and extinguishing Ronaldo's dream of adding a World Cup winners' medal to his illustrious career. The 1-0 scoreline reflected a tightly contested match, but Spain's decisive strike proved enough to send the Portuguese star into retirement from international football.
Emotional Farewell
According to Mirror Sport, Ronaldo was visibly emotional after the final whistle, with cameras capturing him in tears as he left the pitch. The striker had previously hinted that the 2026 World Cup would be his last, making the defeat particularly poignant. He departs as Portugal's all-time leading scorer with over 130 goals.
End of an Era for Portugal
Ronaldo's exit marks the end of a remarkable international career spanning two decades. He led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019, but the World Cup title eluded him. His final match saw him unable to add to his tournament tally, as Spain's defense held firm.
