cristiano ronaldo It may have ended for him fifa world cup Career but France is great Thierry Henry Believe that the Portugal captain has nothing left to prove after building a legacy that will stand the test of time. Portugal’s campaign ended with a 0-1 loss to Spain in the last 16 of the World Cup. RonaldoThis is the sixth and final appearance in football’s biggest tournament. The 41-year-old confirmed before the knockout rounds that the 2026 World Cup would be his last, although he has yet to announce his retirement from international football. Speaking on Fox Sports after Portugal’s exit, Henry paid tribute to Ronaldo’s extraordinary career and said his achievements had secured his place among the greatest players in the history of the game. “He didn’t need anyone to define his legacy; his legacy was untouchable. I wish him the best no matter what he decides. I hope he can break 1,000 goals. He inspired many generations of kids, especially the way he breathed, lived and thought about football,” Henry said. The former Arsenal striker also highlighted Ronaldo’s dedication to fitness and professionalism, saying the veteran striker remains a role model for aspiring footballers. “Look at his body, look at the way he looks; he is a role model for everyone. Such a big man, I wish you all the best,” he added. Ronaldo ended his World Cup career with 27 appearances (the second-highest number of appearances in World Cup history) and 11 goals. Although his World Cup numbers never quite matched the standard of excellence he set in club football, he still made a major impact in his final season, scoring three goals in five games. The Portuguese captain also continued to rewrite records during the tournament. When Portugal defeated Croatia in the round of 32, Ronaldo became the first player over the age of 41 to participate in the knockout rounds. That match was also the first time the World Cup featured two outfield players aged 40 or older, with Ronaldo taking on his former Real Madrid team-mate. Luka Modric. After scoring the first goal in the knockout stage, he became the oldest scorer in the history of the World Cup knockout stage at 41 years and 147 days old. Portugal started their season with a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo before Ronaldo silenced his critics with a brace in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. With this goal, he surpassed Eusebio to become the player with the most goals in the history of the Portuguese World Cup with 10 goals, and became the first footballer to score in six different tournaments. Although Portugal’s quest for World Cup glory ended sooner than they had hoped, Henry believes Ronaldo’s impact on the game goes far beyond trophies and records, describing his legacy as one that no one needs to define.
