Portugal captain says he will not rush into an international retirement decision following defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has postponed making any decision about his international future after Portugal’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup, insisting he does not want to make a rushed announcement in the immediate aftermath of the team’s disappointing exit.
The Portuguese captain spoke to reporters following Portugal’s Round of 16 defeat to Spain, where he chose not to reveal whether he would continue representing his country. Ronaldo emphasized that any decision regarding retirement from international football would be made carefully and at the appropriate time.
The 41-year-old football icon said he did not want discussions about his future to overshadow Portugal’s World Cup campaign or the efforts of his teammates. Instead, he preferred to focus on reflecting on the tournament and the team’s performance before considering the next step in his illustrious career.
Ronaldo also suggested that Spain benefited from a measure of fortune during the knockout clash. While acknowledging the quality of the Spanish side, he remarked that they enjoyed “a little bit of luck” in securing victory and ending Portugal’s World Cup journey.
Despite the setback, Ronaldo reiterated his immense pride in wearing the Portuguese national team jersey. Since making his international debut in 2003, he has become one of the most influential players in football history and Portugal’s most celebrated athlete.
Over more than two decades, Ronaldo has played a pivotal role in some of the greatest achievements in Portuguese football. He helped guide Portugal to its first major international trophy at the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and was also instrumental in the nation’s UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025.
Ronaldo’s international record remains extraordinary. He has made 233 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals, making him one of the most prolific goal scorers in international football history.
With speculation continuing about his future, fans around the world will now await Ronaldo’s final decision on whether he will extend his remarkable international career beyond Portugal’s latest FIFA World Cup campaign.