Cristiano Ronaldo may have brought the curtain down on his FIFA World Cup career, but France great Thierry Henry believes the Portugal captain has nothing left to prove after building a legacy that will stand the test of time. Portugal’s World Cup campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, marking Ronaldo‘s sixth and final appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The 41-year-old had confirmed before the knockout clash that the 2026 edition would be his last World Cup, although he has not announced his retirement from international football. Speaking on Fox Sports after Portugal’s exit, Henry paid tribute to Ronaldo’s extraordinary career and said his achievements had already secured his place among football’s all-time greats. “He’s not going to need anybody to define his legacy; his legacy is untouchable. Whatever he’s going to decide, I wish him all the best. I wish he can pass 1,000 goals. He inspired a lot of generation kids, especially with the way he breathes, lives and thinks football,” Henry said. The former Arsenal striker also highlighted Ronaldo’s dedication to fitness and professionalism, saying the veteran forward remains a role model for aspiring footballers. “Look at his body, look at how he is; he’s an example for everybody. So big man, all the very best in what you wish to do,” he added. Ronaldo finished his World Cup career with 27 appearances, the second-highest tally in the tournament’s history, and 11 goals. Although his World Cup numbers never quite matched the remarkable standards he set in club football, he still made a significant impact in his final campaign by scoring three goals in five matches. The Portugal captain also continued rewriting the record books during the tournament. In Portugal’s Round of 32 victory over Croatia, Ronaldo became the first player to appear in a FIFA World Cup knockout match at the age of 41 or older. That contest also marked the first World Cup game to feature two outfield players aged 40 or above, with Ronaldo lining up against his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric. He also became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history at 41 years and 147 days after netting his maiden goal in the knockout stages of the competition. Portugal began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo before Ronaldo silenced his critics by scoring twice in a commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. The brace saw him surpass Eusebio as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 10 goals and become 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 extends far beyond trophies and records, describing his legacy as one that no one needs to define.
