Cristiano Ronaldo says World Cup dream with Portugal has ‘ended’

In the future after departing the sphere in tears in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo says his dream of profitable the World Cup for Portugal has “ended.”

In his first public feedback since Portugal was eradicated by upstart Morocco within the quarterfinals, the 37-year-old worldwide famous person admitted in a social-media post-Sunday that it’s “time to take inventory” of his profession after 19 years with the nationwide group.

“To win a World Cup for Portugal was the most important and most bold dream of my profession,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. “I fought for it. I fought rather a lot for that dream. Within the 5 occasions I used to be current in World Cups all through 16 years, all the time subsequent to nice gamers and supported by tens of millions of Portuguese, I gave it my all.

“I left all the pieces on the pitch. I by no means confronted away from the combat and I by no means gave up on that dream…Sadly, that dream ended [Saturday].”

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Ronaldo scored just one aim in Portugal’s 5 matches within the match — on a penalty kick within the group-stage opener in opposition to Ghana. He got here off the bench in two knockout-round video games after being faraway from the beginning lineup by supervisor Fernando Santos.

Ronaldo grew to become the primary participant to attain in 5 World Cups, however he won't get one other likelihood in North America in 2026, when he shall be 41.

“There’s no level in reacting rashly,” Ronaldo wrote. “I simply need all people to know that rather a lot has been mentioned, rather a lot has been written, rather a lot has been speculated about, however my dedication to Portugal has by no means wavered for an immediate.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts following missed alternative to attain throughout World Cup quarterfinal in opposition to Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday.

AP

Ronaldo (17) was part of Portugal’s 2006 fourth-place World Cup end, their second-best World Cup efficiency in program historical past after ending third in 1966.

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“For now, there's not a lot else to say. Thanks, Portugal. Thanks, Qatar. The dream was stunning whereas it lasted… Now, we await what time will inform and permit everybody to take their very own conclusions.”

Within the meantime, Ronaldo is and not using a membership group following the termination of his contract by Manchester United final month after he criticized the English Premier League membership in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan. Reviews have indicated that Ronaldo might land a huge take care of Saudi Arabian membership Al-Nassr.