Winning the World Cup is often cited as one of the hardest things to do in football. Cristiano Ronaldo is a living testament to this. Despite being an icon of the game, the Portuguese star will now finish his career having failed to achieve this one dream.

The hopes of his nation fell apart in the Last 16 clash against Spain. The game was actually a bit of a damp squib and did not really spark into life until the dying stages. Substitute Mikel Merino came off the bench to net a 91st-minute winner, while Bernardo Silva then missed a good late chance as Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat.

And with that, 41-year-old Ronaldo left the pitch in tears, his hopes of ever winning the World Cup finally over.

Ronaldo Confirms World Cup Dream Over With Bold Interview

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jerome

While most players would have long retired, Ronaldo has continued to play into his 40s. Many feel as if this has been to the detriment of the Portuguese team, but manager Roberto Martinez (who has now quit) continued to trust in the Al-Nassr star throughout.

Ronaldo appeared desperate to win the World Cup before retiring, but has now confirmed that he won’t be part of the national team in four years time at the next tournament. That said, when speaking to the press, he did not reveal whether or not that was his final international game, saying:

“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions. I don’t decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue [to play].”

Ronaldo then continued, and his next comments have caused a bit of a stir. Not necessarily known for his humility, the striker’s ego was on full display once again as he talked about his achievements with Portugal just moments after their disappointing World Cup campaign came to an underwhelming end:

The interview quickly circulated online and sparked a big response, with fans less than impressed by his arrogance. From talking in the third person to claiming the European Championship win of 2016 is as big as the World Cup, supporters took aim at Ronaldo for his comments.

One fan wrote: Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego is genuinely one of the most fragile things in football history.” They added: “This is a man who played SIX World Cups, failed in all six, never scored a single knockout goal and then started devaluing the competition he spent his entire career desperately trying to win.”

Before then concluded: “The biggest fraud, the biggest victim complex, and the most shameless propaganda machine football has ever seen.”

Another simply called him an ‘Utterly charmless individual,” while somebody else added:

One couldn’t believe the comments were real, asking: “Did he really say this?” While another added: “It’s impossible for feel sorry for him man, I tried, I did.”

Adding to the hate, somebody suggested: “This is why his teammates will never play for him… sore loser!” While a final fan said:

Spain will now play Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals, while Portugal will have to fly home and prepare for a future without Ronaldo.

FIFA have released a statement after US President Donald Trump described 2026 World Cup referee Raphael Claus as “very suspect”.

Brazilian official Claus was the ref who sent off Folarin Balogun during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

Balogun was initially suspended for the USMNT’s last 16 clash against Belgium, but the AS Monaco forward was controversially allowed to play after FIFA suspended his one-game ban.

Trump: Claus Past ‘Very Suspect’

REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

It later emerged that Trump, who has close ties with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, personally intervened after describing Claus’ decision to send off Balogun as “horrible”.

“I think it [the suspension] would have left a big stain,” Trump said before the United States faced Belgium. “I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”

Trump went further by describing Claus as “a little bit suspect”, adding: “If you check his past. Very suspect. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy. If you like I’ll provide you with the past.” Watch the clip below:

FIFA and Collina Issue Statement

After Claus’s integrity was called into question by arguably the most powerful person on the planet, FIFA have responded with a statement defending their South American match official. The statement reads:

Pierluigi Collina, the legendary Italian official who now works as FIFA’s Referee Committee Chairman, added:

United States Knocked Out By Belgium

Reuters/Blake Dahlin

Despite a suspension being placed on Balogun’s one-match ban, the United States were knocked out of the World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat against Belgium.

Belgium rubbed salt into American wounds with two savage post-match tweets, while the players were seen mocking Trump shortly before the final whistle.

The Belgians will now face Spain, who defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on Monday, at the Los Angeles Stadium on Friday.

The winners of that tie will take on either France, the current tournament favourites, or Morocco in the semi-finals next Tuesday.

Arsenal have opened talks to sign a Manchester City midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s young options.

It’s not so often you see players move between Arsenal and Man City, although there have been a handful in recent years.

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are two recent examples, but there’s unlikely to be too many in the future due to their Premier League rivalry.

The Gunners are in the market for reinforcements this summer as they aim to build on what was a phenomenal 25/26 season.

The North London club will be hoping to go one better in the Champions League and lift the trophy, but they will also aim to win the Premier League title once again.

Arsenal hold talks for Man City star

According to a report from Team Talk, Arsenal have held talks to sign Manchester City midfielder Xavier Parker in the summer transfer window.

City are hoping to keep hold of the 16-year-old talent and have offered him a new contract, believed to be one of the biggest financially for a player his age in Europe.

Parker, described as a ‘powerhouse’, is yet to commit his long-term future to City, which has alerted a number of clubs around Europe, including Arsenal.

The Gunners are set to face competition from a number of clubs, including Premier League sides. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are also keen, while Real Madrid are aware of his situation.

Arsenal eyeing Morgan Rogers deal

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Caean Couto

In terms of strengthening their first team, Arsenal are in talks to sign Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window.

The Midlands club have slapped a £130m price tag on his head, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will get close to that figure.

Arsenal are looking to bring in young talent from around the world, but they will also be looking to add new signings to improve the senior squad.

Mikel Arteta’s side certainly don’t need to panic when it comes to additions for the first team after such an impressive 25-26 season, which saw them win the Premier League title.