Ronaldo not making ‘rash decisions’ over Portugal future after World Cup exit

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Cristiano Ronaldo says he is leaving the World Cup with a clear conscience, but insists he will not make any “rash decisions” over his Portugal future.

Ronaldo had already announced prior to meeting Spain that he was playing in his last World Cup, and his last dance proved to be a 1-0 defeat in the last 16 thanks to Mikel Merino’s late strike.

He made his 25th start at the tournament, with only Lionel Messi (27) making more than him.

However, despite having scored more World Cup goals (three) against Spain than against any other opponent, Ronaldo could not find the back of the net, despite having three shots – more than any other Portugal player.

“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he said. “I gave ​it my all.

“I did my best, and I’m leaving with a ⁠clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time ​to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions.

“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the ​moment.

“I’ve won ‌three ⁠titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title.

“The biggest title the national team has ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is just as significant to me as a World Cup.

“It’s always sad to be knocked out of a major tournament. It’s a World Cup. The team was really coming into its own. We played well, in ⁠my view. ​It could have gone either way, but that’s football. ​We have to pick ourselves up and carry on.

“It’s frustrating to go out like this, but we can ​hold our heads high.”

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 6, 2026

Portugal have lost/been eliminated from six of their last eight World Cup knockout-stage matches, having lost just one of their first five in the competition.

And they did not manage a single shot on target in the second half against Spain, while two of their five shots after the interval overall came in stoppage time.

Roberto Martinez announced after the match that he will be stepping down as head coach following their World Cup exit, but he left proud of how his players performed.

“It was a match of a high level technically and tactically,” he told DAZN.

“Two teams with a very similar idea in wanting to have the ball, in using individual talent to get in front of the opponent’s goal and with fantastic individual talent. A shame.

“I think that the draw and reaching extra time would have been the fairest thing. The first clear chance that Spain had was a goal.

“Congratulations to Spain, may everything go very well. And also congratulate my players. The way we played is very proud.”

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