Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that the Portugal 1-0 defeat against Spain will be his last time he plays at a World Cup, but says he still not yet decide to retire from the sport.
The captain, at the age of 41, crashed out of the World Cup with Mikel Merino scoring the last-minute winner to send the Spanish through to the next round and put Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup record career to an end with a goal at six different tournaments, finishing with 233 caps for his nation.
Ronaldo said post match: “I am sad to leave like this, but I have given everything. It was my last World Cup, yes, but there will be time to think about the future. I won’t make decisions in the heat of the moment.”
He did still take a time to comment on his historic 2016 UEFA Euro tournament success, claiming it was a title just as important as winning a World Cup would be.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez added that his captain had been an “exemplary leader” and an “icon of the sport”, adding his experience and goal-threat even at the tail end of his career had been a crucial part to his selection.
Martinez confirmed too that this would be his last game as Portugal manager.
