Cristiano Ronaldo has said Portugal’s historic UEFA Euro 2016 triumph holds the same emotional value to him as winning the FIFA World Cup, despite the World Cup being widely regarded as football’s ultimate prize. The Portugal captain made the remarks after his country’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, a result that ended his sixth and final FIFA World Cup campaign. Mikel Merino’s injury-time winner shattered Portugal’s hopes and brought the curtain down on Ronaldo’s long pursuit of the one major trophy missing from his glittering career.

Speaking after the match, the 41-year-old admitted he was deeply disappointed to leave the tournament without lifting the World Cup but insisted he had no regrets over his efforts. “I am sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best, and I am leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I will now have time to reflect and be with my family. I would not be making any rash decisions.” Ronaldo added that he would not allow the emotions of the defeat to influence any decisions about his future.

“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said. Reflecting on his achievements with Portugal, Ronaldo pointed out that the national team had never won a major international title before his generation. While acknowledging the prestige of the World Cup, he explained that ending Portugal’s trophy drought by winning Euro 2016 remains just as meaningful to him on a personal level. “I have won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title. The biggest title the national team has ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is just as significant to me as a World Cup,” he said. During his international career, Ronaldo helped Portugal lift the UEFA European Championship in 2016 before adding UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, transforming the country’s fortunes on the international stage. The defeat to Spain also marked the end of Roberto Martinez’s tenure as Portugal head coach after the Spaniard confirmed he would step down following the World Cup exit. Ronaldo reserved warm words for Martinez, praising both his work with the national team and his character.

“I loved working with him,” Ronaldo said. “A great manager, a great human being, and what he’s done for Portugal is to be commended. I want to thank him and wish him every happiness.” Looking back on Portugal’s elimination, Ronaldo felt his side had shown enough quality to progress, even if the result ultimately went against them. “It is always sad to be knocked out of a major tournament. It is the World Cup. The team was really coming into its own. We played well, in my view. It could have gone either way, but that’s football. We have to pick ourselves up and carry on,” he said. Although Ronaldo’s quest to win the World Cup ended in heartbreak, he made it clear that Portugal’s breakthrough triumph at Euro 2016 remains the defining achievement of his international career and, in his own eyes, carries the same emotional significance as the sport’s biggest prize.