Cristiano Ronaldo's pursuit of the one title that always escaped him came to a heartbreaking end on Monday night as Portugal bowed out of the World Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time when Mikel Merino headed Spain into the quarter-finals, bringing the curtain down on Ronaldo’s World Cup career. As the final whistle sounded, the 41-year-old wiped away tears before turning to applaud the supporters one last time while wearing Portugal’s World Cup jersey.
"I'm sad to leave the World Cup this way," Ronaldo said afterward. "As I said yesterday, I gave it my all, and I leave with a clear conscience. That's the life of a footballer. You have to move forward."
Ronaldo leaves the tournament as the only player to have scored in six different World Cups. Across six editions of the competition, he made 27 appearances and scored 11 goals, including three at this year's tournament. Yet the World Cup remained the one major honour missing from a glittering career that also features five Ballon d'Or awards, the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal.
His best World Cup finish came during his debut appearance in 2006, when Portugal reached the semi-finals.
"I've given my all. I've won three titles with Portugal," he said. "The 2016 Euros title is on the same level as a World Cup."
Ronaldo confirmed that the tournament in the United States would be his last World Cup, although he declined to announce whether he would retire from international football, saying he wanted time to reflect and be with his family before deciding his future.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez paid tribute to the veteran forward after the match.
"We're talking about an icon in football," he said. "There aren't many Cristiano Ronaldos. We have to be thankful for what he did at this World Cup. An example as the human being who is behind the sportsman."
Ronaldo ends his World Cup career with 27 appearances, second only to Lionel Messi's 30, while his tally of 11 goals leaves him tied for ninth on the competition's all-time scoring list.
For a player who conquered nearly every major prize in football, the World Cup remained the lone unfulfilled ambition. On an emotional night in Texas, that lifelong pursuit came to an end as Ronaldo, with tears in his eyes, acknowledged the crowd before disappearing down the tunnel.
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