Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged that he has played his final World Cup match, although he indicated that he has not yet made a decision regarding his future in football. After 23 years since his debut, the Portugal captain’s 233rd international appearance concluded with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain, resulting in his team’s elimination in Dallas. He exits as the only player to have scored in six World Cups, expressing a sense of peace about his departure, noting that Portugal’s triumph in the 2016 European Championship holds significant value akin to a world title, and highlighting that his era has marked the most successful period in the nation’s football history.
“I go with a clear conscience. This is football, it is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to carry on. It was my last World Cup, yes, but as far as the rest of it is concerned: there will be time to think, to be with my family, [I will] not make decisions in the heat of the moment. “I will wake up tomorrow the same way I woke up today: with a clear conscience. I gave my all. I won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a big trophy. The best trophy I won with the national team was 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup. So I repeat: I leave here with a clear conscience. Tomorrow will be another day and life goes on.”
Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martínez, praised the 41-year-old star despite a lackluster performance against Spain. “I had a word of thanks to him,” Martínez commented. “He has been an exemplary captain. I arrived when there was a lot of confusion and questions in terms of his position in the team. But he has been an example not only in the number of goals he has scored, but also in the counterattacks he leads. He is an example, a role model to follow. He is a football icon. There aren’t many Ronaldos out there. “His dream was to win this World Cup and he did this by being an amazing example within the dressing room,”
Martínez dismissed any notion that he should have substituted Ronaldo during what turned out to be his last World Cup match. “He is a prime example of football, the athlete, and the human being who is behind that athlete.” he explained. “He’s physically very capable, in open space and from dead balls; anything in the box, you need his experience.
“When you are a team who need a goal you cannot take him off,”
The match also marked Martínez’s final game as Portugal’s manager. “He’s physically very capable, in open space and from dead balls; anything in the box, you need his experience. “Probably in extra time would be when you might use the energy of Gonçalo Ramos. Today, we had to keep the structure. It’s not the time to take your centre-forward, your best goalscorer off.” he remarked. “I am proud. We played one of the favourites eye-to-eye. The journey we had to be able to play like this. I feel immense pride. Immense pride in our personality and focus.”
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed satisfaction with Mikel Merino’s impactful performance off the bench. “He’s an exceptional player,” he said, “one of the best in his position worldwide. He’s given us a fantastic performance and a fantastic goal. I would go and pick him up and carry him to the national squad if I had to. The contribution of our substitutes has been enormous throughout the tournament.”
