On July 6, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo’s illustrious FIFA World Cup career came to an end following Portugal’s loss to Spain in the round of 16. The match, played on a humid afternoon in Dallas, marked the final World Cup appearance for the 41-year-old football legend, who has left a significant mark across six editions of the tournament.

Ronaldo became the only player to score in six World Cups after his brace against Uzbekistan earlier in the tournament. He is also the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored at age 42 in 1994.

While Ronaldo, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and Mexico’s veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa share the distinction of playing in six World Cups, Ronaldo stands out by scoring in every edition, unlike Messi who did not score in 2010.

After the match, Ronaldo confirmed his World Cup farewell, expressing sadness about the manner of his exit: “I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this.” He also stated, “I play for the national team, and I love to play football.”

This defeat closes a significant chapter in international football, highlighting Ronaldo’s enduring impact on the sport at the global level.

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