Ronaldo’s Final World Cup Ends in Defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning the FIFA World Cup is over after Portugal suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals after Mikel Merino scored a dramatic injury-time winner in Dallas, ending Portugal’s campaign and Ronaldo’s final appearance at the World Cup.

The 41-year-old football icon was left in tears after the final whistle as his hopes of lifting the famous trophy disappeared. Although he leaves the World Cup without a title, Ronaldo’s career remains one of the greatest in football history.

The Portuguese captain has won five Ballon d’Or awards, five UEFA Champions League titles and the UEFA Euro 2016 trophy. He has also scored a world-record 976 goals for club and country and became the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups.

Despite his impressive achievements, the closest Ronaldo came to winning the World Cup was in 2006 when Portugal reached the semi-finals.

Before the tournament began, Ronaldo announced that this would be his final World Cup. However, he refused to confirm whether he had played his last match for Portugal.

“I will meet the family and take decisions with a calm head,” he said after the defeat.

Portugal’s early exit has also raised questions about coach Roberto Martinez’s decision to start Ronaldo in every match despite concerns over his age and mobility.

Former England striker and BBC football pundit Chris Sutton blamed both Ronaldo’s performance and Martinez’s tactics for Portugal’s elimination.

“He’s waddling around the field like a grandad, that’s why Portugal are out,” Sutton said.

“Cristiano Ronaldo does nothing; he did nothing. What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander to a player so much? Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez.”

Martinez, who announced his departure after the match, defended Ronaldo and praised his commitment to the national team.

“We need to thank him for what he tried to do at this World Cup,” Martinez said.

“His dream was to win this World Cup, he did this with an amazing example. He is a prime example of football and the human being that is behind that athlete.”

Against Spain, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact. He touched the ball only 19 times during the 90 minutes, managed three shots and created just one chance for a teammate.

The debate over Ronaldo’s role in the national team has continued for several years. While he remains the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 146 goals, critics argue that his overall influence on games has reduced.

Portugal’s squad included several world-class players, including Champions League winners Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos, as well as Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Sutton questioned why Ramos remained on the bench throughout the match.

“How did Goncalo Ramos not get on the pitch?” he asked.

“It’s an absolute embarrassment from the manager, just pandering to his star player. He’s the most decorated player that Portugal have ever had but you’ve got to be stronger than that.”

Ronaldo finished the tournament with three goals, scoring twice against Uzbekistan and once from the penalty spot against Croatia. He also registered 18 shots during the competition, one of the highest totals at the tournament, but created only one chance for a teammate.

Martinez defended his decision to leave Ronaldo on the pitch until the end.

“When you need a goal you cannot take Cristiano off, at least in 90 minutes, he is physically capable – his presence, open space, dead-ball situations, we need his experience.”

For nearly two decades, Ronaldo’s rivalry with Lionel Messi has dominated world football. While Messi achieved his dream by leading Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022, Ronaldo’s legendary career will end without lifting football’s biggest prize.

Former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney praised Ronaldo’s impact on the sport despite the disappointment.

“He is a genius, a superstar. What he has given to football and millions of people is something very rare. He will be disappointed because he believed he could win this tournament. But time gets us all. It’s a sad day for football.”

Source: BBC Sports