Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch in tears in Dallas after Mikel Merino's injury-time header sent Spain through with a 1-0 win, ending the 41-year-old's final World Cup campaign in the last 16. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has scored a world-record 976 goals and appeared at six World Cups, had announced this would be his last chance at the trophy he craved most. Portugal's closest run came in 2006, when they reached the semi-finals.
Asked if he would continue playing for his country, Ronaldo said: "I will meet the family and take decisions with a calm head." The decision may be made easier by the departure of head coach Roberto Martinez, who announced he was leaving after the final whistle. Martinez called Ronaldo a "football icon" and said: "We need to thank him for what he tried to do at this World Cup. His dream was to win this World Cup, he did this with an amazing example."
“Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career ends in tears as Portugal lose 1-0 to Spain in last-16.”
But criticism of both the player and the manager was fierce. BBC pundit Chris Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "He's waddling around the field like a grandad, that's why Portugal are out. 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."
Ronaldo touched the ball only 19 times in the 90 minutes against Spain, managing three shots and one chance created for a teammate. Meanwhile, the Portugal squad includes some of the best defenders and midfielders in the world, with four members having helped Paris St-Germain win the past two Champions League titles. Their failure to go beyond the last 16 will sharpen the debate over whether Martinez's reluctance to drop the ageing talisman cost his team a deeper run.
Ronaldo has scored a record 146 goals for his country in men's international football, but his final World Cup ended with him consoled by teammates as Spain celebrated their last-16 victory. One of football's great careers will now finish without the biggest prize.