Ronaldo bows out as Portugal lose to Spain in last 16

ISLAMABAD: Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup campaign ended on Monday with Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the last 16, bringing to a close what the veteran forward said would be his final appearance at the tournament.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain cut a subdued figure after the match in Texas, where he struggled to make an impact in an attack that failed to trouble Spain consistently. Ronaldo had three efforts on goal but remained largely on the margins, and at one stage threw his arms up after a misplaced pass from a teammate. He left the field alone after the final whistle at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium, visibly emotional as Portugal's hopes were extinguished.

Speaking after the defeat, Ronaldo said he would now reflect on his future. "That's football, that's the life of a footballer." he said.

He also said he was leaving the World Cup "with a clear conscience." Referring to Portugal's European Championship triumph, Ronaldo added: "The truth is, the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016 (Euros), which for me is just as significant as a World Cup, honestly."

Ronaldo's deepest run at a World Cup remained the semi-finals two decades ago. At this tournament in North America, he scored three goals in what proved to be his farewell campaign on the global stage, including two in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan and one from the penalty spot against Croatia in the last 32. He did not register an assist during the tournament.

Widely regarded as one of the leading players of his generation, Ronaldo's club career has included spells at Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and a return to United, before moving to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. His honours include five Ballon d'Or awards, multiple Champions League titles and international success with Portugal at Euro 2016.

The conversation around Ronaldo in recent years has shifted as his physical edge has faded and he has moved from a wide role into a more central striking position. Both Ronaldo and Portugal coach Roberto Martinez have faced criticism from some quarters over the length of his international career. On Monday, even as Martinez made two double substitutions late in the game while chasing an equaliser, Ronaldo stayed on the pitch.

On the eve of the match, Ronaldo had insisted:

I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup.