{"id":185638,"date":"2026-07-06T20:28:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T00:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/cristiano-ronaldo-defies-time-7330-days-later-hes-still-making-history\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T20:36:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T00:36:40","slug":"cristiano-ronaldo-defies-time-7330-days-later-hes-still-making-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/en\/cristiano-ronaldo-defies-time-7330-days-later-hes-still-making-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Cristiano Ronaldo defies time: 7,330 days later, he’s still making history"},"content":{"rendered":"

7,330 days after playing his first minutes in a World Cup<\/a>, Cristiano Ronaldo has called it quits. Defeated\u2014along with the Portuguese national team\u2014by Spain (1-0) on a goal by Mikel Merino, he leaves the tournament as the only player in nearly a century to have scored in six World Cups, but without winning the title that would have secured his place among the greatest in history.<\/p>\n

“I hope this isn’t my last game.” Relaxed and smiling, Cristiano expressed his fear of a premature end the day before. Not because he\u2019d be missing a title that his rival, Leo Messi, already has, but because he\u2019d be succumbing to the passage of time\u2014to the reality that, at 45, it would be a pipe dream to think he could play in a seventh World Cup. \u201cCristiano isn\u2019t going to be any more or less Cristiano just because he wins the World Cup,\u201d he said the day before.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Between Criticism and Applause: Cristiano Has Always Remained an Idol<\/h2>\n
\"Cristiano
PHOTO: EFE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than two decades after his debut, he is leaving the top tournament convinced that he hasn’t done “all that badly.”<\/p>\n

To be the main target of criticism for a national team that never lived up to the expectations set by the constellation of stars on its roster.<\/p>\n

Cristiano has felt both criticized and celebrated in the United States by fans among whom he remains a star.<\/p>\n

Who waited for hours outside hotels to snap a photo of him and who doesn’t mind that he hasn’t been able to keep up with the incredible scoring pace of Messi, Mbapp\u00e9, Haaland, or Kane.<\/p>\n

In his final World Cup match, he continued to enjoy the support of the crowd.<\/p>\n

The crowd chanted his name on and off, despite his few appearances.<\/p>\n

Cristiano is now limiting his range of motion; at 41, he knows that, no matter how well he takes care of himself, he no longer has the explosiveness he once did.<\/p>\n

And he waits for his moment (Filed under: Cristiano Ronaldo ends his World Cup run).<\/p>\n

I hope this isn't my last game<\/p>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n

Farewell to a Legend<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

A post shared by Portugal (@portugal).<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n