Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy is untouchable - Thierry Henry backs Portugal star after World Cup 2026 elimination
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Ronaldo and Co. were beaten by Spain in the round of 16.
Thierry Henry sent a heartfelt message to Cristiano Ronaldo following Portugal’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s squad lost to a tough Spanish side in the FIFA World Cup on 6 July. It left supporters wondering if the renowned Portuguese star will declare his retirement from football for good.
The 41-year-old, the oldest outfield player in the 2026 tournament, announced at a news conference the day before the Round of 16 encounter that this would be his final World Cup appearance.
Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared in six World Cups. An impressive number given that he made his debut in the 2006 competition as a 21-year-old.
Henry sends a thoughtful message to Ronaldo
Despite their elimination, France legend Thierry Henry sent Ronaldo a touching note in which he expressed his desire to see the Portuguese phenom record 1,000 goals.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy is untouchable. A lot of great players didn’t win the World Cup, it does not define their legacy. I wish him all the best, I hope he scores more than 1000 goals.
“He inspired a generation, kids, especially the way he breathes, lives and thinks about football. Look at his body, he’s an example to everyone. Big man, all the very best on what you wish to do.”
Ronaldo’s former Man United teammate takes to Instagram to send him a powerful message
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández on IG:
“Cris, I don’t hold on to this match or even this World Cup. I hold on to the player who changed the history of his national team, who led Portugal to achieve what had seemed impossible for so many years, and who inspired an entire generation to believe that there are no limits.
“Thank you for the example. Thank you for everything, Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Will Ronaldo retire after Portugal’s elimination?
Before the Portugal vs Spain round-of-16 game, he revealed it was his last World Cup.
How many goals did Ronaldo score in the 2026 World Cup?
He scored three goals.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.