Cristiano Ronaldo may have placed the curtain over him FIFA World Cup career, but France is good 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 loss to Spain in the Round of 16, marking Ronaldo:The sixth and final appearance in football’s biggest tournament. The 41-year-old confirmed before the knockout clash that the 2026 edition would be his last World Cup, although he did not announce his retirement from international football. Speaking on Fox Sports after Portugal’s exit, Henry paid tribute to Ronaldo’s incredible career and said his achievements have already earned him his place among football’s all-time greats. “He doesn’t need anyone to define his legacy; his legacy is intangible. Whatever he decides, I wish him all the best. May he pass 1,000 goals. He inspired many generations of kids, especially with 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 forward remains a role model for aspiring players. “Look at his body, look at what he is; he is an example to everyone. A great person, all the best in what you want 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 incredible standards he set in club football, he still made a huge impact in his final campaign by scoring three goals in five games. The Portugal captain also continued to rewrite 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 with two outfield players aged 40 or over, 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 his first goal in the knockout stage of the competition. Portugal started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo before Ronaldo silenced his critics by scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. The brace saw him surpass Eusebio as Portugal’s leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 10 goals and become the first player 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 beyond trophies and records, describing his legacy as one that needs no explanation.