MUSCAT : Cristiano Ronaldo’s final FIFA World Cup journey came to a quiet and painful end as Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, bringing the curtain down on one of football’s most remarkable international careers.

The 41-year-old captain, who has carried Portugal’s hopes across six World Cups and more than two decades of international football, cut a composed figure as the final whistle sounded. While teammates sank to the turf in disappointment, Ronaldo stood still, absorbing the moment as Spain celebrated a hard-fought victory and a place in the quarter-finals.

For Portugal, the defeat marked the end of another quest for global glory. For Ronaldo, it signalled the closing chapter of a World Cup story that began as a teenage prodigy and ended as one of the game’s greatest icons. Though the ultimate prize eluded him, his legacy remains unmatched, having become Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most influential figures in football history.

As he walked off the pitch for what is expected to be the final time on the World Cup stage, Ronaldo left behind a legacy defined not only by goals and records, but by an enduring pursuit of excellence that inspired generations around the world.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.