Ronaldo's World Cup career ends in tears as Martinez departs

Cristiano Ronaldo's storied World Cup career concluded in disappointment as Portugal faced a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the last 16 at World Cup 2026. The match, held in Dallas, saw Ronaldo in tears as Mikel Merino's late goal sent Portugal home. The 41-year-old, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Euro 2016 champion, amassed a world-record 976 goals in his career and made history by participating in six World Cups, with Portugal reaching the semi-finals in 2006 being his best performance.

Despite announcing it was his final World Cup, Ronaldo stated he would make decisions about his future with his family after the game. There is a debate over whether Portugal could have progressed further without the pressure to start Ronaldo, but former England striker Chris Sutton criticized the decision, declaring that Ronaldo's performance contributed to Portugal's early exit. "He’s waddling around the field like a grandad," Sutton remarked, questioning Russia-bound manager Roberto Martinez’s choices.

Martinez, who confirmed his departure from the role following the match, praised Ronaldo as a football icon and acknowledged his aspiration to win the World Cup.

The debate about Ronaldo's starting position was prevalent during the tournament. He scored three goals, including a double against Uzbekistan and a penalty against Croatia, but only created one opportunity for teammates in five matches. There were more than 366 players who touched the ball more than Ronaldo, despite him playing almost the entire match time.

Martinez defended his selection, emphasizing Ronaldo's vital presence in high-pressure moments, stating, "When you need a goal, you cannot take Cristiano off. His experience is essential."

As one of the defining figures in the sport alongside Lionel Messi, their enduring rivalry has reshaped football fandom. While Messi lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, Ronaldo leaves with this accolade missing from his remarkable achievements, a sentiment echoed by former teammate Wayne Rooney, who expressed that Ronaldo would feel disappointment after his aspirations to win this tournament.

Despite holding records such as being the only player to score in six World Cups and ranking ninth all-time in goals, Ronaldo's knockouts have significantly waned as he aged. The match against Spain marked a painful chapter in his legacy, with fans reminiscing about the joy he has brought to the game, even as his World Cup dreams faded.

Martinez, who previously managed Belgium and achieved UEFA Nations League success with Portugal, indicated that his objective was winning the World Cup and deemed it unnecessary to continue without that achievement. The critique of his management style has also arisen, as Sutton criticized the impact on Portugal's performance, stating he did not effectively utilize his squad.

As Ronaldo's saga in the World Cup concludes, emotions run high among fans, with sentiments of both sadness and gratitude shaping the memory of his time on the global stage.