Ronaldo: Euro 2016 Is My World Cup Glory

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has said that winning the 2016 European Championship with his country means as much to him as lifting the FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo made the comment after Portugal were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday.

The match, played in Arlington, Texas, was decided late in stoppage time after substitute Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain. The result ended Portugal’s campaign and also brought Ronaldo’s World Cup journey to a close.

Speaking after the game, the 41-year-old said Portugal’s Euro 2016 success remains one of the greatest achievements of his career.

“I’ve won Euro 2016 and for me it has the same dimension as the World Cup. That remains forever. Tomorrow is a new day, and we go,” Ronaldo told reporters.

He also confirmed that the 2026 tournament was his final World Cup appearance.

“It’s been my last World Cup, yes, but now I will have time to think, stay with my family and life continues,” he said.

Ronaldo says he has no regrets

Although Ronaldo never won the World Cup, he said he was proud of what he achieved with Portugal.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward said he gave everything for his country and would not allow the disappointment of the defeat to overshadow his international career.

“I will wake up tomorrow with the same mood as I did today. I did my best. I won three titles with Portugal, before me it was zero titles. I can only be happy,” he said.

Ronaldo added that he was leaving the tournament with a clear conscience, despite the pain of losing in the knockout stage.

“I’m leaving with a clear conscience. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he said.

“I’m sad now after being eliminated like this, but I gave it all, my very best.”

Portugal bow out as Spain advance

Portugal had hoped to continue their push for a first World Cup title, but Spain proved difficult to break down.

Ronaldo admitted that Portugal could have done better, but he praised Spain’s quality and tipped them to go far in the tournament.

“We played a good game; the performance was well done. We could have done better, but Spain are among the best; they will get to the final or close,” he added.

Ronaldo’s exit from the World Cup marks the end of an era for one of football’s greatest players. Across six World Cup appearances, he became one of the most recognisable figures in the tournament’s history.

While the World Cup trophy has escaped him, Ronaldo said Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph will always carry the same weight in his heart.

For him, that night of glory with Portugal remains enough proof that he delivered something lasting for his country.