2 min learnUp to date: Jul 7, 2026 03:07 AM IST
Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-ever World Cup marketing campaign ended by the hands of acquainted foes Spain within the Spherical of 16 as Portugal went down 1-0 at Dallas on Monday night time. Because of this Ronaldo will be a part of a plethora of legends of the sport who didn’t win the coveted World Cup trophy of their profession.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored in added time, sending his facet into the quarter-finals whereas extending their run with out conceding a purpose.
Merino struck within the 91st minute after fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped a by cross behind Portugal’s defence. European champions Spain recorded one other clear sheet as Portugal had been eradicated from the World Cup.
Ronaldo turned the primary ever participant to attain in all 6 editions of the World Cup, netting in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. He has 11 targets in World Cups and is the all-time main goal-scorer for Portugal in World Cups.
On Sunday night time, Ronaldo had admitted that the continuing 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the final time he performs within the match. Taking part in in his sixth World Cup, Ronaldo had renewed his bid to win the title for the primary time in his illustrious profession when Portugal confronted Spain within the Spherical of 16 in Dallas.
“Sure, it’s my final one. Let’s go and revel in it,” mentioned Ronaldo in a press convention forward of the sport. It was a somewhat combative interplay with the press with Ronaldo calling out journalists who he mentioned don’t “like” him.
Ronaldo additionally pointed particularly to a journalist over the course of the press convention. “Let him ask a query, he doesn’t like me,” he mentioned. The journalist then requested what was probably the most troublesome a part of taking part in in a World Cup on the age of 41, to which Ronaldo replied: “Probably the most troublesome half is to speak to a few of you. Particularly those that don’t like me. You might be certainly one of them. I simply want one take a look at the face and I’ll bear in mind very effectively.”
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A six-time Champions League winner with Manchester United and Actual Madrid, the World Cup will stay the one main trophy lacking from Ronaldo’s overflowing cupboard, with Portugal having gained the Euro in 2016.