Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup journey ended in tears as Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat against Spain in the last 16, courtesy of a stoppage-time strike from Mikel Merino. The 41-year-old Manchester United legend, playing in his final World Cup, left the pitch in tears, but Spanish media showed little compassion, instead focusing on his perceived shortcomings.
Harsh Criticism from Spanish Outlets
ABC was particularly brutal, describing Ronaldo as "largely unnoticed" and a "shadow of his former self." The publication catalogued his deficiencies: "Lacking speed, dribbling and bite. At times, he didn't even seem to know what to do with the ball." It added that his lacklustre performance wasn't enough to send him to the bench, which partly explains the meagre attacking output of a Portugal side that relied on him as its main attacking threat.
La Razon said his "participation in the game was limited" and emphasised his lack of movement: "Over the years, his range of action on the field has considerably reduced, and he no longer possesses the explosiveness that characterised much of his career. He was the player who covered the fewest kilometres and never came close to truly troubling Unai Simon. He left without the leading role he had envisioned for such a momentous night, although with the feeling of having given everything he had."
Minimal Impact on the Pitch
AS simply questioned: "What about Cristiano? No sign of him." Marca awarded him just one star in their player ratings and remarked: "CR7, before becoming CR1000, has reduced his area of operation." The Portuguese press was more sympathetic, with A Bola stating: "Ronaldo's farewell to the world's biggest competition ends up being this one, marked by sadness."
Ronaldo's performance statistics underscore the criticism. He covered the least distance of any outfield player and failed to register a shot on target. His influence, once so dominant, was notably absent as Portugal struggled to create chances.
Ronaldo Reflects on His Final World Cup
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said: "I'm sad to leave the World Cup like this. But as I said in the press conference, I gave everything. I gave my best, and I leave with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but now I'll have time to think and be with my family. I don't make decisions in the heat of the moment, nor do I want to shift the focus from what was done at the World Cup because of a personal decision."
Ronaldo will be 45 when Portugal co-hosts the 2030 World Cup, making this his final appearance in the tournament. Despite the disappointment, he appears set to continue playing at club level, though his international future remains uncertain.
