It’s over. Not even the most optimistic onlooker expects Cristiano Ronaldo to play in his sixth World Cup in the summer of 2026 in Canada, the United States or Mexico.
His path to the World Cup ends at the Al Thumama Stadium and his last tormentor is Morocco, as Uruguay, Spain or France were before.
Cristiano will retire with an enviable list of honors, with records that will be difficult for future generations to match, with a European Championship but without the golden trophy that everyone reveres and longs for.
His last page in World Cup history was written as a substitute, but the result was the same as when he was an undisputed star.
Germany 2006: France send him out in the semi-finals
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first appearance at a World Cup was the one that brought him closest to the trophy. In that 2006 Portugal team that featured Figo, Deco, Simao and Pauleta.
They topped the group stage, overcame the Netherlands in the round of 16 and beat England on penalties in the quarter-finals, with Ronaldo scoring the last kick of the shootout.
But a goal by Zidane in the semis eliminated them, thus ending their hopes of reaching the final.
South Africa 2010: Spain cross his path in the round of 16
World champions Spain was the final stop for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at the World Cup in South Africa. Villa’s goal, one that all Spanish fans remember, sent the Lusitanians home.
Brazil 2014: Didn’t make it past the group stage
Cristiano’s worst participation in a World Cup took place in Brazil. Portugal wasn’t able to out of a group stage that featured Germany, the United States and Ghana.
With four points, equal with the Americans, they weren’t able to advance to the round of 16.
Obrigado, @Cristiano.
? Copa Mundial FIFA (@fifaworldcup_es) December 10, 2022
Russia 2018: Uruguay knock Portugal out in the round of 16
After a 3-3 draw with Spain in the group stage, including a hat-trick by Cristiano, Portugal fell at the first hurdle in the knockout rounds after losing to Uruguay.
Qatar 2022: Morocco’s surprise run comes at Ronaldo’s expense
Unexpectedly, with Cristiano coming on as a substitute, Morocco put an end to Ronaldo’s World Cup run.
The striker had a chance to equalize late on, but Bono kept him at bay, bringing Cristiano’s World Cup journey to an end once and for all.
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