Arlington, Texas. Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch after the final World Cup match of his storied career with a stoic expression and only a hint of emotion. He briefly waved to Portugal's cheering supporters before reflecting on another painful elimination.

"Sad — it's normal after being eliminated like this," Ronaldo said after Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16 on Monday. At one point, he briefly covered his eyes with his right hand.

The loss marked the end of the sixth and final World Cup for the 41-year-old superstar.

"I've given everything, I've given my best, and I leave with a clear conscience," he said. "This is soccer, this is life for a soccer player. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."

Ronaldo, the only player to score in six consecutive World Cups and the all-time leader in international goals with 146, said before the match that he hoped it would not be his final appearance and wanted to savor every moment.

After the defeat, however, he reaffirmed that his World Cup career was over. His best finish came in his tournament debut in 2006, when Portugal reached the semifinals.

Asked about his future beyond the World Cup, Ronaldo said he was not yet ready to make any decisions.

"Yes, it was my last World Cup, but everything else I'll have time to think about, to be with my family, and not make any decision hot-headed and move on with life," he said.

Ronaldo came closest to scoring in the first half when Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón produced a spectacular leaping save. The Portuguese captain managed three shots, two of them on target. His best opportunity came after João Félix's header deflected off Simón's shoulder, allowing Ronaldo to attempt an acrobatic backheel that the goalkeeper recovered to stop.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez praised Ronaldo's lasting impact on the national team.

"He is an example, a role model to follow. This is somebody that we need to celebrate. We're talking about a football icon," Martínez said through a translator. "There aren't too many Cristiano Ronaldos out there. I think we need to thank him. His dream was to win the World Cup, and he pursued it while setting an amazing example in the locker room."

Portugal had never won a major international trophy before Ronaldo's era. The team captured its first title at the 2016 European Championship before adding UEFA Nations League crowns in 2019 and 2025.

Ronaldo's farewell on football's biggest stage came eight years after his memorable World Cup hat trick against Spain in a thrilling 3-3 draw during the 2018 group stage — a performance widely regarded as one of the tournament's greatest individual displays.

He finished his final World Cup with three goals, bringing his career total to 11 — tied for ninth on the all-time World Cup scoring list.