The 41-year-old Portugal great said on the eve of the last-16 encounter, which his team lost 1-0, that this was his final World Cup.
Asked afterwards about what comes next, he said: "It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll have time to think about the rest, to be with my family, not make rash decisions, and just get on with life."
The Portugal captain and one of the best footballers in history, said: "That's football, that's the life of a footballer.
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on."
Ronaldo, the leading scorer in the history of men's international football, said he would leave the World Cup stage "with a clear conscience".
"The truth is, the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016 (Euros), which for me is just as significant as a World Cup, honestly," he said.
"That's why, I repeat, I'm leaving with a clear conscience, at my best, and that's it. Tomorrow is a new day, and life goes on."
Ronaldo was a European champion with Portugal a decade ago but never tasted World Cup glory, the high point a semi-final 20 years ago.
World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played in 16 modern stadiums.
Match schedule and times | Draw | England at the World Cup | Bellingham: England 'shouldn't fear anyone' | How to watch the World Cup | Predictions and odds
Watch the World Cup 2026 live on ITVX via Prime Video here - live coverage, highlights, and analysis.
