Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that his World Cup career is now over after Portugal’s exit at the hands of Spain in the round of 16 in Dallas.

“I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything, always given my best,” Ronaldo told reporters after the game. “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.”

By taking part in the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo and long-time rival Lionel Messi became the only two men in history to have appeared at six different tournaments. Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has been part of six World Cup squads, but has only played in four editions.

Ronaldo’s incredible longevity has also played a part in him jointly holding another World Cup record, although it is one he would rather not have.

Ronaldo’s unwanted World Cup record

The former Real Madrid star is now one of five players tied for the most World Cup defeats, with eight losses, according to Sports Center.

These are the games in which Portugal and Ronaldo have been on the wrong end of the scoreline:

2006 World Cup

• Jul. 5, 2006: Portugal 0-1 France, semifinals
• Jul. 8, 2006: Portugal 1-3 Germany, third-place match

2010 World Cup

• Jun. 29, 2010: Portugal 0-1 Spain, round of 16

2014 World Cup

• Jun. 16, 2014: Portugal 0-4 Germany, group stage

2018 World Cup

• Jun. 30, 2018: Portugal 1-2 Uruguay, round of 16

2022 World Cup

• Dec. 2, 2022: Portugal 1-2 South Korea, group stage
• Dec. 10, 2022: Portugal 0-1 Morocco, quarterfinals

2026 World Cup

• Jul. 6, 2026: Portugal 0-1 Spain, round of 16

South Korean duo Son Seung-min and Hong Myung-bo, Mexico’s Antonio Carbajal and Australia’s Mathew Leckie are the other players to have suffered the same unwanted fate.

Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring rate

Ronaldo ends his World Cup career with 11 goals in 27 appearances, a rate of 0.41 goals per game, significantly below his career scoring ratio of 0.73.

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