2026 World Cup: Portugal Has Had Enough of Cristiano Ronaldo: “Enough Is Enough, Go Away.” He Vents His Frustration
Portugal’s loss to Spain in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup definitively brings an end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s long era with the Portuguese national team. Or at least that’s what people back home are hoping for, where nearly all media outlets and a large portion of the fans are pushing for CR7 to step down. The star from Madeira has left an indelible mark on the history of Portuguese soccer, playing continuously for the national team for 23 years, racking up 233 appearances and 146 goals. With him, the Portuguese won the first titles in their history (one European Championship and two Nations League titles), and in his wake, not one but two generations of champions have emerged. But now it’s time to move on.
The daily newspaper A Bola is calling for this with great force in an editorial titled: “Cristiano Ronaldo, we don’t want to kill you, but enough is enough.” “Not fielding Gonçalo Ramos in a match where Portugal was repeatedly pushed to the brink by Spain in the second half was the icing on the cake of Roberto Martinez’s circus of horrors (…). It’s time to turn the page once and for all.”
“If a shake-up is needed on the bench, it’s just as necessary on the field, and it’s time for Cristiano Ronaldo to step aside because, as we’ve already seen, his ego won’t allow him to be substituted for a player who, these days, delivers unmatched performances. What this World Cup would have been like without the unhealthy obligation to have Cristiano Ronaldo on the field for all 90 minutes will remain a mystery forever, and not even Donald Trump could overturn this elimination. It is imperative to definitively bring the captain’s era to a close, as it has dragged on far longer than it should have.”
But CR7 isn’t giving up, and after the game he vented: “My conscience is clear. I gave it my all. I’ve won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal hadn’t won a single one. I’m happy. The most important title I’ve won was the 2016 European Championship. To me, it’s just as valuable as a World Cup, honestly. That’s why I keep saying it: I’m leaving with a clear conscience; I gave it my all. Tomorrow is another day, and life will go on.” Ronaldo would like to remain on the national team until the next European Championship, but much will depend on the new coach, Jorge Jesus.
