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Ronaldo ends World Cup career without title after Portugal exit
Cristiano Ronaldo played his final World Cup match on Monday as Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16, defeated by Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner. The 41-year-old, who appeared in…
The Story in Brief
Cristiano Ronaldo played his final World Cup match on Monday as Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16, defeated by Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner. The 41-year-old, who appeared in a record six editions and scored at least once in each, ends his World Cup career without a title. Ronaldo leaves with a 'clear conscience,' he said through an interpreter, adding that he gave his best.
Ronaldo scored 11 goals in 27 World Cup matches, the second most appearances after Lionel Messi's 31. Portugal's best finish came in his debut tournament in 2006, a semifinal loss. Off the pitch, Ronaldo has won three major titles with Portugal: the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations Leagues.
The Indian Opinion
The tired narrative that Ronaldo's legacy is incomplete without a World Cup ignores his unmatched longevity and his nation's first major trophy in 2016. He is one of only two men to play six World Cups, and his goal-scoring record across editions stands alone. The real test is whether fans can value a Euro title as highly as a World Cup, Ronaldo himself says he does. Will that perspective catch on? Or will the obsession with the golden trophy remain unfair?
Sources (2): thehindu.com, thehindu.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
