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Ronaldo: It’s time to consider future
The Herald
|July 08, 2026
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has played his last World Cup match but said he will take time to consider his future after Portugal's last-16 defeat to Spain.
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Mikel Merino's stoppage-time strike gave Spain a 1-0 win in Dallas and ended Ronaldo's career-long pursuit of a global title, while also bringing to an end Roberto Martinez's tenure as Portugal head coach.
Ronaldo made the 223rd appearance of a Portugal career that has so far lasted 23 years and, although he confirmed he would not go back on his decision that this would be his final World Cup, he is not yet ready to say whether it was his international swansong.
Speaking to reporters after the match, the 41-year-old said: “I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything, always given my best. 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.
This story is from the July 08, 2026 edition of The Herald.
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