Cristiano Ronaldo made it official. This is it. His last World Cup.
The Portugal captain confirmed the news after a wild 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto, a game that nearly slipped away before a stoppage-time header saved them. Ronaldo told reporters: “Yes, it’s my last one. Let’s go and enjoy it.” Fabrizio Romano broke the news on X, and within minutes the soccer world was processing what it means.
Ronaldo is 41 now. He’s played in six World Cups, scored in five of them, and finally bagged his first knockout-stage goal in this tournament — a cool penalty in the 68th minute to tie the game. But he also got pulled in the 81st minute for Rúben Neves, and FS1 analyst Nick Wright pointed out that Portugal’s willingness to sub him shows tactical depth. “That flexibility makes them dangerous,” Wright said.
The substitution itself was a talking point, but it got buried by the retirement news. Ronaldo has been the face of Portuguese soccer for two decades. He’s the all-time men’s international goal scorer. And now every match Portugal plays from here carries an extra weight. It’s not just about winning a trophy. It’s about sending him out the right way.
The Game That Set It Up
Portugal almost didn’t make it to extra time against Croatia. They were locked at 1-1 after Ronaldo’s penalty answered an early Croatian goal. Then, in the 94th minute, substitute Gonçalo Ramos rose to meet a perfect cross from Rafael Leão and powered a header into the net. Bedlam in the stadium.
Croatia thought they’d answered back immediately, but a VAR review caught an offside in the buildup. The goal was wiped out. Croatia went home. Portugal moved on to face Spain in the Round of 16.
Ronaldo didn’t start the tournament on fire, but he’s been efficient. The penalty against Croatia was his third goal of the World Cup. He’s moving well, drawing defenders, and letting younger guys like Ramos and Leão play off him. The question now is whether Portugal can carry him deep enough for a proper farewell.
They’ve got the pieces. Bruno Fernandes runs the midfield. Bernardo Silva can unlock any defense. The defense has been solid, and goalkeeper Diogo Costa has made a few saves that kept them alive. But the spotlight stays on Ronaldo. Every touch, every goal, every emotional moment gets magnified now.
Portugal faces Spain next. A classic rivalry. And if Ronaldo scores again, it’ll be another chapter in a story that’s almost over. He said it himself: let’s go and enjoy it.
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