Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said that winning Euro 2016 for his country carries the same personal weight as lifting the FIFA World Cup, reflecting after he brought down the curtain on his World Cup career.
Ronaldo spoke following Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday, a defeat that ended his sixth and final appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
Spain progressed after substitute Mikel Merino struck in stoppage time in Arlington, Texas, handing the team a late win and knocking Portugal out of the competition.
Looking back on his international achievements, the 41-year-old insisted that Portugal’s Euro 2016 success matches the importance of a World Cup triumph for him.
“I’ve won Euro 2016 and to me it has the same meaning as the World Cup. It will stay that way forever. Tomorrow is another day and we move on,” Ronaldo told reporters.
“It has been my last World Cup, yes… but now I will have time to think, be with my family, and life goes on,” he added.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward said he has no regrets despite never winning the World Cup during a decorated career.
“Tomorrow I’ll wake up with the same mindset as I had today. I gave everything. I won three trophies with Portugal; before that, we had zero. I can only feel happy,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo also suggested he is leaving the tournament with his conscience clear after doing his utmost for his nation.
“I’m going out with a clear conscience. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
“I’m disappointed right now after going out like this… but I truly gave it my all, my very best.
“We played well; the performance was good. We could have been better, but Spain are one of the top sides. They’ll reach the final or be very close,” he added.
Ronaldo ends his World Cup run with 27 appearances and 11 goals across six editions.
At the 2026 World Cup, he scored three times—finding the net twice against Uzbekistan in the group stage, then converting a penalty versus Croatia in the Round of 16.
While he never won the World Cup, Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and also added two UEFA Nations League titles.
Spain are set to meet either the United States or Belgium in the quarter-finals.
