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Cristiano Ronaldo perhaps brought the curtain down on his FIFA World Cup career, but France is great Thierry Henry believes the Portuguese captain has nothing left to prove after building a legacy that will stand the test of time. Portugal ended the World Cup with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the round of 16, marking Ronaldothe sixth and last appearance at the biggest football tournament. The 41-year-old confirmed before the knockout bout that the 2026 World Cup would be his last World Cup, although he did not announce his retirement from international football. Speaking on Fox Sports after Portugal’s departure, Henry paid tribute to Ronaldo’s remarkable career and said his achievements had already secured his place among football’s all-time greats. “He won’t need anyone to define his legacy; his legacy is untouchable. Whatever he decides, I wish him the best. I wish he could pass 1000 goals. He has inspired many generations of kids, especially the way he breathes, lives and thinks about football,” Henry said. The former Arsenal striker also highlighted Ronaldo’s dedication to fitness and professionalism, saying the veteran striker remains a role model for future footballers. “Look at his body, look at what he’s like; he’s an example for everyone. Such a great man, all the best in whatever you want to do,” he added. Ronaldo finished his World Cup career with 27 appearances, the second highest in the tournament’s history, and 11 goals. Although his numbers at the World Cup never lived up to the extraordinary standards he set in club football, he still made a significant impact in his final campaign, scoring three goals in five games. The Portugal captain also continued to rewrite the record books during the tournament. In Portugal’s victory over Croatia in the Round of 16, Ronaldo became the first player aged 41 or over to appear in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. That contest also marked the first World Cup game to feature two outfield players aged 40 or over, with Ronaldo pitted against his former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric. He also became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the knockout stage of the World Cup at 41 years and 147 days after scoring his first goal in the knockout stage of the competition. Portugal opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo before Ronaldo silenced his critics by scoring twice in a convincing 5-0 win against Uzbekistan. In the match, he surpassed Eusebio as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 10 goals and became the first footballer to score in six different editions of the tournament. Although Portugal’s quest for World Cup glory ended earlier than they had hoped, Henry believes Ronaldo’s impact on the game goes far beyond trophies and records, describing his legacy as one that no one needs to define.
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