Mondial-2026: Ronaldo temporise concernant son avenir international
"This was my last World Cup, but for the rest, I will have time to think about it, not to make any rash decisions," said Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday regarding his future with the national team.
The top scorer and most capped footballer, aged 41, passed in front of journalists in the mixed zone, after the elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Spain (1-0).
He confirmed that this sixth World Cup would be his last, without however announcing the end of his international career.
"The truth is that this was my last World Cup, but for the rest, I will have time to think about it, to be with my family, not to make any rash decisions, and I will continue my life," he said.
The striker, who has scored 146 goals in 233 appearances, two world records for men, affirmed that he had given "his best" no matter what.
"The biggest title I've won with the national team is (the Euro) in 2016, which for me has the same significance as a World Cup, honestly. That's why, I repeat, I leave with a clear conscience, I gave my best and that's it, tomorrow will be another day and life goes on," he added.
Ronaldo had already confirmed on several occasions that this edition of the World Cup would be his last, without however specifying whether he intended to say goodbye to the national team after the North American tournament.
With the Portuguese team, the current captain has two Nations League titles (2019 and 2025) and above all a European Championship title (2016), a competition in which he is the top scorer in history with fourteen goals in the final phase.
"I have won three titles for Portugal, before Cristiano there were no titles, so I am happy," he added.
His best performance in the World Cup was in 2006, twenty years ago for his first participation, with a semi-final loss against Zinedine Zidane's France.
"Naturally, I'm sad to leave the World Cup like this, but as I said yesterday (Sunday) in the press conference, I gave everything – I did my best – and I leave with a clear conscience. That's football, that's the life of a footballer: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to keep going," added the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
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