DOHA, Qatar — Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned in a cryptic social media publish that his dream of successful the World Cup with Portugal has ended, whereas stopping in need of asserting his retirement from worldwide obligation.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo left the sector in tears after Portugal misplaced 1-0 to Morocco within the quarterfinals on Saturday.
In his first feedback after the elimination, Ronaldo mentioned Sunday that it was “time to take inventory” with out saying explicitly if he desires to hold on being accessible for Portugal after 19 years within the nationwide workforce.
“There’s no level in reacting rashly,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. “I simply need all people to know that so much has been mentioned, so much has been written, so much has been speculated about, however my dedication to Portugal has by no means wavered for an on the spot.
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“I’ve all the time been only one extra (Portuguese) combating for everybody’s aim. I’d by no means flip my again on my teammates or my nation.”
Ronaldo, who’s the all-time main scorer in males’s worldwide soccer with 118 objectives, mentioned placing Portugal “on the very best degree on this planet” was his largest dream.
“In my 5 appearances at World Cups over 16 years, all the time enjoying alongside nice gamers and supported by hundreds of thousands of Portuguese, I’ve given my all,” he wrote. “I left every little thing I had on the pitch. I’ll by no means shrink from a battle and I’ve by no means given up on that dream.
“Sadly, that dream ended yesterday.”
Ronaldo mentioned he would now “let everybody draw their very own conclusions.”
“For now. There’s not a lot else to say. Thanks, Portugal. Thanks, Qatar. The dream was lovely so long as it lasted.”
The following main match is the European Championship in 2024. The following World Cup can be held in america, Canada and Mexico in 2026, by which era Ronaldo can be 41 years outdated.
Ronaldo is with no membership after leaving Manchester United throughout the World Cup within the wake of an explosive interview earlier than the match when he criticized the supervisor, board and his teammates on the English membership.
His solely aim on the World Cup was a penalty in opposition to Ghana in Portugal’s opening group sport. He turned the primary male participant to attain at 5 World Cups.
Ronaldo began on the bench for Portugal’s video games within the final 16 — a 6-1 victory over Switzerland — and the quarterfinals.
Earlier than the sport in opposition to Morocco, Portugal coach Fernando Santos denied reviews Ronaldo threatened to depart the World Cup after being advised he wasn’t going to be within the beginning lineup in opposition to Switzerland.