Ronaldo exits World Cup with ‘clear conscience’, leaves international retirement open

Cristiano Ronaldo said he ends his journey in World Cups with a ‘clear conscience’ following Portugal's Round of 16 exit to Spain, but stopped short of confirming his international retirement.

Mikel Merino's 91st-minute strike sent Portugal out of the tournament and ended Ronaldo's sixth and, by his own admission before the match, final World Cup campaign.

“I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything, always given my best. I go with a clear conscience,” Ronaldo told reporters after the match.

“This is football, it is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to carry on,” the 41-year-old added.

Ronaldo confirmed the World Cup was his last, but said he would not rush into any decision over his Portugal future. “There will be time to think, to be with my family, not make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said.

Ronaldo pointed to his trophy record with Portugal, including three major titles, as evidence of his legacy and placed Portugal's UEFA Euro 2016 triumph on equal footing with a World Cup win.

“I won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a big trophy. The best trophy I won with the national team was 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup.

“So, I repeat, I leave here with a clear conscience. Tomorrow will be another day and life goes on.”