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As the final whistle blew at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on December 10, 2022, tears streamed down Cristiano Ronaldo’s face. The Portuguese star was devastated after Portugal’s shocking World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco. The pain was so overwhelming that he couldn’t even bring himself to acknowledge the fans in the stands. It wasn’t until the following day that he finally expressed his heartbreak — through a social media post.

“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career,” Ronaldo wrote. “Across my five World Cup appearances over 16 years, always playing alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese fans, I gave my all.”

“I left everything on the pitch. I have never shied away from a fight, and I have never given up on that dream. Sadly, that dream ended yesterday.” Yet, in reality, it didn’t.

Now 41, Ronaldo has once again been named in Portugal’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, giving him one final opportunity to accomplish the one feat that has eluded his illustrious career.

A Bitter Farewell

Ronaldo arrived in Qatar confident of silencing critics after his controversial exit from Manchester United and determined to claim the only major trophy missing from his cabinet. However, he left under similar circumstances — his reputation bruised by frustration and reports of discontent after being benched for the last-16 clash against Switzerland, a game Portugal won 6-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Goncalo Ramos, his replacement.

“Much has been said, written, and speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has never wavered,” Ronaldo stated online. “I was always just another player fighting for the common goal. I would never turn my back on my teammates or my country.”

He added, “For now, there’s little more to say. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful while it lasted. Now, time will tell the rest.”

The Portuguese Football Federation decided it was time to begin a new era with a new coach, but they retained their captain. When Roberto Martinez succeeded Fernando Santos on January 9, 2023, he had the chance to rebuild around Portugal’s emerging talents. Instead, he travelled to Saudi Arabia to persuade Ronaldo to stay on and lead the team into Euro 2024 — a decision that ultimately backfired.

The Decline

Although Ronaldo scored regularly in the Euro qualifiers, he failed to find the net in Germany despite taking more shots than any other outfield player. His struggles became increasingly visible, and yet Martinez refused to rest him, even in Portugal’s final group match. That choice appeared to prioritise Ronaldo’s ego over the team’s progress.

After a goalless display in a 2-0 loss to Georgia, the pressure intensified. When he missed a penalty against Slovenia in the last-16, Ronaldo broke down in tears at half-time of extra-time in Frankfurt — a rare emotional collapse mid-match for one of football’s most composed figures.

The immense expectations had clearly become overwhelming. The once unstoppable talisman had turned into a burden, and his teammates were now carrying him — a harsh reality for a player of his pride and stature. Still, his courage to step up and convert the first penalty in the shootout earned admiration.

‘More Portugal, Less Ronaldo’

Martinez, known for his silver-tongued optimism, praised Ronaldo’s bravery after the match, sidestepping his own tactical failures. True to form, he stuck with Ronaldo for the quarter-final against France, only for Portugal to crash out on penalties after another goalless outing from their captain. This led to a national debate, with headlines calling for “More Portugal, less Ronaldo.”

Even during the Seleccao’s strong 2024–25 Nations League run, rumours persisted that newly elected FPF president Pedro Proenca was considering replacing Martinez with Jose Mourinho after the tournament.

‘Spectacular Record’

Ronaldo was frustrated by the constant speculation. “Questioning someone with a spectacular record for Portugal confuses me,” he said before the Nations League final against Spain. “Talking about other coaches makes no sense. The coach has done an extraordinary job.”

“Even in victory, there’s debate. But what matters is that we’re happy with the coach’s work. He’s embraced our culture, our language, and our anthem with passion — that’s what I value most.”

Ronaldo then backed up his words with action, scoring in both the semi-final win over Germany and the penalty shootout triumph over Spain in the final. Martinez’s gamble on his captain finally paid off, though skepticism about Portugal’s reliance on Ronaldo lingered.

Fading Pace

Martinez insists Ronaldo’s level hasn’t dropped since moving to Saudi Arabia, but that misses the point. The decline began long before his Al-Nassr switch in January 2023. Even so, his longevity and professionalism are remarkable — few players have maintained such discipline into their forties. Yet, his reduced mobility has become impossible to ignore.

Ronaldo rarely presses opponents, making him an outlier in the modern game. Many argue Portugal would benefit from a more dynamic striker, as shown by their stunning 9-1 win over Armenia — a match Ronaldo missed due to suspension, with Ramos leading the line.

Temper and Tenacity

Ronaldo’s fiery temperament remains both a strength and a flaw. His fierce hatred of losing has driven his success but also sparked outbursts. At Al-Nassr, he often clashed with officials and once even went on strike, believing the Saudi Pro League was biased against his club. Such volatility could be problematic for Portugal in North America.

He was shown a straight red card for striking Dara O’Shea during a qualifying loss to Ireland, which should have earned him a three-match ban. However, FIFA suspended two of those games, clearing him to face DR Congo and Uzbekistan — a fortunate twist that could help him start strongly in 2026.

The Last Dance

Ronaldo’s relentless drive for perfection means he demands nothing less than victory. His emotional reaction after clinching the Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr this year — tears of joy after scoring twice against Damac — showed how deeply success still affects him.

This World Cup will be his true last dance. Despite talk of playing alongside his son Cristiano Jr. in 2030, this is almost certainly his final shot at global glory. Despite his five Ballon d’Ors, Ronaldo has only reached one semi-final and has never scored in a World Cup knockout stage. That record weighs heavily on his legacy.

The silver lining is that he now plays in arguably the strongest Portuguese squad ever assembled. While this may be the weakest version of Ronaldo himself, the talent surrounding him could balance the scales.

A Fairytale Ending?

With Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes forming a world-class midfield, and Diogo Costa protected by Ruben Dias and Nuno Mendes, Portugal’s structure looks formidable. Bernardo Silva adds experience and creativity, while the likes of Joao Felix and Rafael Leao still offer potential brilliance.

Ronaldo remains central, not just for his goals but his aura. At 41, he must prove he can still perform at the highest level — and keep his emotions in check when pressure mounts. His passion and drive continue to inspire teammates like Vitinha, who said they aim to “win the World Cup with Ronaldo, and for Ronaldo.”

Whether or not this focus on one man is wise is debatable, but it’s understandable. Ronaldo transcends the role of player; he embodies the spirit of Portugal’s golden generation. Having pushed himself mentally and physically for four years toward this moment, one thing is certain — however it ends, there will be tears.