Ronaldo says ‘won’t make rash decisions’ following last World Cup game

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Portugal’s forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)

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Cristiano Ronaldo said that he won’t rush into a decision about his future following Portugal’s exit to Spain in his last World Cup match on Monday.

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The 41-year-old Portugal great said on the eve of the last-16 encounter, which his team lost 1-0, that this was his final World Cup.

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Asked afterwards about what comes next, he said: “It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll have time to think about the rest, to be with my family, not make rash decisions, and just get on with life.”

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The Portugal captain and one of the best footballers in history, said: “That’s football, that’s the life of a footballer.

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“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on.”

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Ronaldo, the leading scorer in the history of men’s international football, said he would leave the World Cup stage “with a clear conscience”.

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“The truth is, the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016 (Euros), which for me is just as significant as a World Cup, honestly,” he said.

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“That’s why, I repeat, I’m leaving with a clear conscience, at my best, and that’s it. Tomorrow is a new day, and life goes on.”

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Ronaldo was a European champion with Portugal a decade ago but never tasted World Cup glory, the high point a semi-final 20 years ago.

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