Great respect! Spain player delivers heartfelt message to Ronaldo after Portugal's exit
Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
Spain defender Marc Cucurella shared his thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo following their victory over Portugal in the 2026 World Cup round of 16.
Details: Spain edged out Portugal 1-0, after which Ronaldo confirmed that this World Cup would be the last of his illustrious career.
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Cucurella highlighted how Cristiano has inspired countless young players. The defender recalled watching Ronaldo's matches on TV as a child, and now, he had the chance to face him on football's biggest stage.
The Spaniard emphasized that facing Ronaldo always demands maximum focus. He stated that Cristiano pushes his opponents to give 100% every time.
At the same time, Cucurella believes Spain's victory was well deserved. Luis de la Fuente's squad advanced to the quarterfinals, while Portugal's journey ended at the round of 16.
"Congratulations to Cristiano on his career. Playing against him is a real pleasure," said the Spain defender.
Reminder: Cristiano Ronaldo announced that the 2026 World Cup was his final appearance in the tournament. The Portuguese star played in six World Cups but never managed to lift the most coveted trophy in international football.
