Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career came to an emotional end after Portugal suffered a dramatic 1-0 defeat to Spain in the last 16, with Mikel Merino scoring an injury-time winner in Dallas.
The final whistle marked the end of Ronaldo's sixth and final World Cup campaign, leaving the Portugal captain in tears as his long-held ambition of lifting football's biggest trophy slipped away.
The 41-year-old departs the World Cup stage with a remarkable legacy. A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, five-time UEFA Champions League winner and UEFA Euro 2016 champion, Ronaldo has scored a record 976 career goals for club and country and remains the only player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Although Portugal reached the semi-finals in 2006 during Ronaldo's first World Cup appearance, the nation never progressed further during his international career.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo stopped short of confirming his retirement from international football.
"I will meet the family and take decisions with a calm head," he said when asked about his future with Portugal.
Portugal's exit has reignited debate over Ronaldo's role in the team. Despite scoring three goals during the tournament, critics questioned whether the veteran forward should have started every match.
"Cristiano Ronaldo did nothing. Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez," Sutton said, criticising the coach for continuing to build the attack around the veteran striker.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, who announced he would step down after the defeat, defended Ronaldo's contribution.
"We need to thank him for what he tried to do at this World Cup," Martinez said. "His dream was to win this World Cup. He set an amazing example and remains a football icon."
Portugal's squad featured several of Europe's top performers, including Paris Saint-Germain quartet Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves and Gonçalo Ramos, as well as Premier League standout Bruno Fernandes. Despite the talent available, the team failed to progress beyond the round of 16.
Ronaldo finished the tournament with three goals, including a brace against Uzbekistan and a penalty against Croatia. He also registered 18 shots across five matches, among the highest totals at the tournament, though he created only one chance for a teammate.
While his World Cup journey has come to an end without the trophy he coveted most, Ronaldo leaves the global stage as one of football's greatest players, with records and achievements that may stand for generations.
