Ronaldo’s World Cup ends in tears

Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to an end with a defeat against Spain. With this, Cristiano Ronaldo’s career on the most gilded stage in football.
Ronaldo, 41, said before this game that this would be his final World Cup.

But the farewell of one of the greatest superstar in football history was a largely quiet.

After the final whistle, Ronaldo left the field alone, with tears in his eyes.
Ronaldo’s 2026 FIFA World Cup journey ended just as it began, like a dream.

The question arose right from the start of the tournament, at the age of 41, had become a bit too difficult for him? Ronaldo’s on-field performance only served to reinforce that question.

Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups, but there’s little else that will be recalled fondly about his presence this tournament.

Two goals against Uzbekistan and a penalty against Croatia were as good as it got for Ronaldo. Ronaldo was largely ineffective against Spain. This performance seemed to epitomize his entire World Cup campaign.

But the question, why did the greatest footballer in Portuguese football history make such an unceremonious exit from the World Cup? Who is to blame for this, Coach Roberto Martínez, his teammates, or Ronaldo himself? Upon analysis, three parties can be held responsible.

Portugal’s World Cup campaign has come to an end. Ronaldo will not win the World Cup after all; instead, he remains among the elite who never won the tournament.

Portugal was eliminated after losing to Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After that match, Ronaldo leave the field in tears.

Everyone assumed it was the end of the road for him. Yet, defying age, Ronaldo spent four years preparing for the World Cup-though it is now evident that such preparation was not enough.

The number of World Cup losses for Ronaldo stands now at eight. No player in World Cup history has finished more matches on the losing side.

Portugal might not wish to dwell on the final chapter of Ronaldo’s journey. But his entire career remains a treasure trove of brilliance and inspiration.

Let those elements accompany the new beginning that lies ahead. Goodbye, Ronaldo; welcome, new Portugal!