Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has said his Euro 2016 triumph with Portugal carries the same weight for him as a World Cup title, as he reflected on the end of his World Cup career following Monday’s Round of 16 elimination to Spain.
Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in Arlington, Texas, courtesy of a stoppage-time goal from substitute Mikel Merino, ending Ronaldo’s sixth and, by his own admission, final World Cup campaign.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Ronaldo said the continental title he won with Portugal a decade ago meant as much to him as football’s biggest prize, which eluded him across his international career.
“I’ve won Euro 2016 and for me it has same dimension as the World Cup. That remains forever. Tomorrow is a new day, and we go,” he said.
He said he had no regrets over how his final World Cup ended, pointing instead to his overall trophy haul with Portugal.
“I will wake up tomorrow with same mood as I did today. I did my best. I won three titles with Portugal, before me it was zero titles. I can only be happy,” he added.
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Ronaldo, who had said before the match that this would be his last World Cup appearance, confirmed his international tournament career was over, though he did not explicitly rule out further involvement with the national team.
“It’s been my last World Cup, yes… but now I will have time to think, stay with my family and life continues,” he stated.
He described leaving the tournament with no lingering regrets, framing the exit as part of the nature of competitive sport.
“I’m leaving with clear conscience. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. “I’m sad now after being eliminated like this… but I gave it all, my very best.
“We played a good game; the performance was well done. We could have done better, but Spain are among the best; they will get to the final or close,” he said.
Ronaldo, 41, finishes his World Cup career with 27 appearances and 11 goals across six editions, without the trophy that remained the one major honor missing from his collection.
He scored a brace against Uzbekistan and converted a penalty against Croatia at this year’s tournament to finish with three goals. His deepest run at a World Cup came at his debut in 2006, when Portugal reached the semi-finals.
While the World Cup trophy eluded him, Ronaldo lifted the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, in addition to two UEFA Nations League titles. Spain advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the USA-Belgium tie.
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