Ronaldo's World Cup career ends in tears as 'pandering' Martinez departs

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Ronaldo's World Cup career ends in tears as 'pandering' Martinez departs Figure caption, Ronaldo's full-time tears after Portugal World Cup exitByEmlyn BegleyBBC Sport journalistPublished37 minutes agoOne of football's great careers will finish without the biggest prize after Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup match for Portugal ended with a 1-0 last-16 defeat by Spain. He was in tears as his World Cup story ended in Dallas with Mikel Merino's injury-time sending their neighbours through. The 41-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner, five-time Champions League winner and Euro 2016 champion has scored a world-record 976 goals for his clubs and country.

He has scored at a record six World Cups. But the closest he got to winning it was when Portugal reached the semi-finals in his first tournament in 2006. He had already announced this would be his final World Cup - but said afterwards "I will meet the family and take decisions with a calm head" when asked if he would keep playing for his country.

The Details

Whether Portugal would have had a better chance of winning this World Cup without the pressure to start Al-Nassr's Ronaldo in each game will remain open to debate. However, there was no question for pundit Chris Sutton, who was in Texas for Radio 5 Live. "He's waddling around the field like a grandad, that's why Portugal are out," the former England striker said.

"Cristiano Ronaldo does nothing; he did nothing. "What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander to a player so much?

"Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez. "Boss Martinez announced he was leaving the job after the final whistle and praised "football icon" Ronaldo. "We need to thank him for what he tried to do at this World Cup," Martinez said.

What Experts Say

"His dream was to win this World Cup, he did this with an amazing example. "He is a prime example of football and the human being that is behind that athlete. " Figure caption, Spain into quarter-finals after Merino's late winner against PortugalWorld Cup 2026 knockout path How to watch the World Cup on the and ITV Published4 days agoEverything you need to know about the World Cup Published1 AprilShould Ronaldo have played?

Image caption, Ronaldo only touched the ball 19 times in 90 minutes against Spain, with three shots and one chance created for a team-mateA major recurring theme at the past few major tournaments has been about whether Ronaldo should start. He has scored 146 goals for his country, a record in men's international football - but recently cynics have suggested he does not offer much else. And with fame and status that transcends the game, Martinez seemingly dared not drop him.

But a team filled with some of the best defenders and midfielders in the world may have hoped to do better than make the last 16. Four of the squad won the helped Paris St-Germain win the past two Champions League titles - left-back Nuno Mendes, midfielders Vitinha and Joao Neves and striker Goncalo Ramos, who joined AC Milan this summer.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.