Cristiano Ronaldo received a heartfelt show of support from fiancée Georgina Rodriguez after the Portugal captain's dream of lifting the World Cup came to a heartbreaking end.
The football icon's final appearance at the tournament ended in agony as Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Spain, with Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner sending La Roja into the quarter-finals and bringing Ronaldo's World Cup journey to a close.
The defeat confirmed that the 41-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, will retire from the competition without ever winning the sport's biggest prize.
Ronaldo struggled to contain his emotions after the final whistle, leaving the pitch in tears as the reality of his final World Cup appearance sank in.
Hours later, Rodriguez publicly backed her partner with a subtle but poignant social media tribute.
The model and influencer, who has amassed more than 74 million followers on Instagram, reposted a message from Nike celebrating Ronaldo's remarkable career.
The image featured a dramatic profile photograph of the Portugal captain alongside the words: "His Legend Lives On."
Cristiano Ronaldo received a heartfelt show of support from fiancée Georgina Rodriguez after the Portugal captain's dream of lifting the World Cup came to a heartbreaking end
|GETTY
Nike's message to Cristiano Ronaldo on Instagram was shared by Georgina Rodriguez
|GETTY
Rodriguez accompanied the post with a single red heart emoji, offering her support as Ronaldo came to terms with one of the most painful moments of his career.
The Al-Nassr forward had initially refused to confirm whether this would be his final World Cup, but before Portugal's meeting with Spain he acknowledged that the tournament in North America would be his last.
He had hoped to extend his farewell by helping Portugal overcome their Iberian rivals, only for Merino's late strike to end those ambitions.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Five things to know about Cristiano Ronaldo | GETTY/GB NEWSSpeaking after the match, Ronaldo confirmed there would be no return on football's biggest stage.
"It's been my last World Cup, yes - but now I will have time to think, stay with my family and life continues," he said.
Although the World Cup ultimately escaped him, Ronaldo insisted he leaves international football with enormous pride in everything he achieved for Portugal.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner captained his country to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 before adding UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Reflecting on those achievements, he said: "I will wake up tomorrow with a clear conscience, because I gave my all.
"I won three titles for Portugal, and Portugal had not won any before me. My biggest title with Portugal is Euro 2016. That trophy means the same to me as the World Cup."
Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in his final World Cup with Portugal | GETTYAfter completing his television interviews, Ronaldo slowly made his way towards the dressing rooms, cutting a solitary figure as he left the field.
Television cameras followed the veteran striker through the tunnel, capturing scenes reminiscent of his emotional exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
On that occasion, Ronaldo broke down after Portugal's surprise defeat to Morocco, with footage of the tearful walk becoming one of the defining images of the tournament.
This time he managed to compose himself before disappearing from view, though the disappointment remained unmistakable as he walked away with his head lowered.
Ronaldo's extraordinary international career ends with a host of records, including becoming the first player to score at six separate World Cups.
But football's biggest prize will never be his.