Ammon News - Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup ended with a Spanish sting in the tail, courtesy of Mikel Merino's last-gasp winner that earned a 1-0 round-of-16 win ​on Monday, but he was unwilling to make a hasty call on ‌his international future.

Ronaldo told reporters in the mixed zone that Spain enjoyed "a bit of luck" to score through substitute Merino in the dying moments of a match he felt could have swung either ​way.

"I'm sad to be leaving the World Cup like this," he said. "I gave ​it my all. I did my best and I'm leaving with a ⁠clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll now have time ​to reflect and be with my family. I won't be making any rash decisions."

The 41-year-old ​stopped short of confirming whether he had played his final game for Portugal, saying he did not want a personal decision to overshadow the team's campaign.

"I don't make decisions in the heat of the ​moment," he said.

Ronaldo, who helped Portugal win the 2016 European Championship plus the Nations ​League in 2019 and 2025, said he was proud of his contribution to the national team.

"I've won ‌three ⁠titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn't won a single title," he said.

"The biggest title the national team has ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is just as significant to me as a World Cup."

Portugal's exit also ​came with Roberto Martinez's departure ​as manager, and ⁠Ronaldo offered warm words for the Spaniard.

"I loved working with him," he said. "A great manager, a great human being, and what he's ​done for Portugal is to be commended. I want to thank ​him and ⁠wish him every happiness...

"It’s always sad to be knocked out of a major tournament. It’s a World Cup. The team was really coming into its own. We played well, in ⁠my view. ​It could have gone either way, but that’s football. ​We have to pick ourselves up and carry on.

"It’s frustrating to go out like this, but we can ​hold our heads high," added the Al-Nassr forward.


Reuters