In the quarter-finals, he calmly converted the decisive penalty in a shootout victory over England, a moment that still lives in Portuguese memories and seemed at the time to foreshadow greater triumphs. They failed to arrive.
For much of his international career, Ronaldo appeared to carry the weight of Portugal’s ambitions on his shoulders.
But the landscape changed as a new generation of talent emerged, and by this tournament, questions persisted over whether he should still be a guaranteed starter.
Against Spain, the veteran played the full 90 minutes and managed three attempts on goal, but was unable to create a decisive opening.
Opponents paid tribute to one of the game’s greats, who against Spain produced in 2018 what was probably his best World Cup display, a hat-trick in a 3-3 group-stage draw that included a brilliantly taken free kick in the 88th minute.
“I’m a great admirer of him, of his values, of what he stands for, of how he approaches the sport, and I think he’s a role model for young people,” Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said after the game.
“Whenever we have the chance to be together, we acknowledge our mutual admiration and the pride we feel at knowing him.”
Messi rivalry
Ronaldo largely avoided questions throughout the tournament about comparisons with Lionel Messi. Still, as his World Cup story closes, the contrast is difficult to ignore. Their rivalry defined an era, but never fully extended to the World Cup stage.
Messi guided Argentina to the 2014 final and then achieved the ultimate glory by winning the title in 2022, while Ronaldo’s runs repeatedly ended in frustration.
There was, however, the prospect of a World Cup meeting.
Had Portugal topped their group instead of finishing behind Colombia, and had both teams advanced, Ronaldo and Messi could have met in the quarter-finals.
“It would be top,” Ronaldo said of the potential showdown after scoring twice in Portugal’s 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan in the group stage, his best performance in the tournament in North America.
For a player who conquered nearly every other challenge the sport could offer, that sense of what might have been will accompany Ronaldo’s World Cup farewell.
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