“This will be my last World Cup. I want to enjoy it.” Prophetic words from Cristiano Ronaldo, who confirmed before the match against Spain that this would be his last appearance at the world’s biggest football competition. And so it was.
20 years, six editions, 27 matches and 11 goals. That’s CR7’s record, in an odyssey that began in Germany in 2006 and ended in the United States in 2026, with his best result being a semi-final in his first appearance.
Flashscore looks back at Ronaldo’s World Cup moments.
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Germany 2006: The first goal
Two years after the heartbreak in Lisbon, where he broke down in tears following the defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 final, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in Germany to play his first World Cup.
Then at Manchester United, the number 17 was already establishing himself as one of the stars on the international stage and was threatening to take over from Luis Figo as the team’s main figure. He made his debut in Cologne, against Angola, in the first match of Group D.
Starting in six of the seven matches Portugal played, Ronaldo scored his first World Cup goal against Iran, converting a penalty in the group stage.
He left injured in the first half of the battle in Nuremberg after a challenge from Boulahrouz in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands, scored the decisive penalty in the shootout against England in the quarter-finals, but was unable to change the outcome in the semi-final against France, which Portugal lost.
South Africa 2010: 'Talk to Queiroz'
Ronaldo arrived at his first African World Cup at the peak of his form. Two years had passed since he won his first Ballon d’Or and he had just completed a spectacular debut season at Real Madrid.
However, Portugal was going through a period of transition, with quality seemingly lacking, especially in attack, where Liedson and Hugo Almeida were Carlos Queiroz’s main attacking options.
He scored a goal and provided an assist in the 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in the group stage. He failed to score against Ivory Coast, Brazil and Spain. In the Round of 16, he made public his rift with the coach and left with an iconic phrase.
“Explanations? Talk to Carlos Queiroz,” he said in the mixed zone.
Brazil 2014: The disappointment
On his way to winning his second Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo once again found no luck at the World Cup. In Brazil, Portugal was eliminated in the group stage for the first time with CR7.
He scored in the last match against Ghana and assisted in the draw with the United States, but was unable to change the fate of a team still lacking individual quality.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup is taking place from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament features 48 national teams and is played at 16 modern stadiums.
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Russia 2018: The first big moment
It took until Cristiano Ronaldo’s fourth World Cup for the Portuguese star to have his first major moment on this stage. In the opening group match, the draw set up a Portugal-Spain clash and the fans in Sochi were not disappointed.
A Ronaldo hat-trick, including a stunning free-kick, earned Portugal a point. In the next round, he scored the only goal against Morocco, which allowed the national team to advance.
Collectively, disappointment struck again, with the European champions bowing out in the Round of 16 against Uruguay.
Qatar 2022: Tears and questions
At 33, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the 2022 World Cup under heavy scrutiny, especially with a new generation of players emerging and succeeding internationally.
He scored in the opening match against Ghana but then faded as the tournament went on. He lost his starting spot to Gonçalo Ramos in the Round of 16, who scored a hat-trick against Switzerland, and did not regain his place in the starting eleven for the quarter-final against Morocco, where Portugal bowed out.
He left Doha in tears, in one of the most striking images of the tournament.
Canada, United States and Mexico 2026: The farewell
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the sixth and final World Cup of his career under immense pressure. His starting place was questioned in a team full of stars and with the dream of lifting the trophy.
It turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions - less impressive performances against DR Congo and Colombia, interspersed with a brace against Uzbekistan. The penalty scored against Croatia in the round of 32 stands as his last World Cup goal, in a match in which he was substituted.
He left Arlington in tears once again. Farewell to the World Cup.