Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that his dream of winning a World Cup for Portugal has ended, a day after his team’s crushing quarterfinal loss to Morocco. In an emotional message to fans on his Instagram account on Sunday, the Portuguese captain — who avoided the topic of his impending retirement — acknowledged that his 19-year quest for a World Cup title had come to an end. For the first time since Portugal’s elimination by Morocco, a defiant Ronaldo stated that he had “fought hard” for his country during the tournament.
Winning a World Cup for Portugal was my biggest and most ambitious dream, Ronaldo wrote. The post was accompanied by a picture showing a dejected Ronaldo walking off the pitch following Morocco’s surprise — and historic — victory for a team from Africa. It’s pointless to react rashly, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner added. “I just want everybody to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated about, but my dedication to Portugal has never wavered for an instant.
Ronaldo’s World Cup dream has ended
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Before the loss, Ronaldo had made history in Qatar by becoming the only men’s player to score at five separate World Cups after he netted Portugal’s first goal in their opening 3-2 win over Ghana. In my five appearances at World Cups over 16 years, always playing alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I have given my all,” Ronaldo said. “I left everything on the field. I’ll never shrink from a battle and I have never given up on that dream. But, he added: “Unfortunately, that dream ended yesterday.
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Ronaldo has not specifically commented on his future, but the 37-year-old has been widely expected to retire from international level football after Qatar, the fifth World Cup in which he had competed. Controversy had swirled around the Portuguese captain in recent matches after head coach Fernando Santos chose to bench Ronaldo in Portugal’s 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland, reportedly after he reacted angrily while being substituted against South Korea during the tournament’s group stages.
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Later, reports surfaced that the legendary footballer had threatened to leave Seleço das Quinas during their brief run in the elimination round in Qatar. Portugal ultimately denied those reports. On Saturday, Santos again benched Ronaldo during the match against Morocco and started his replacement, 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos, who netted three goals in the clash with Switzerland. Ronaldo was introduced into the game in the second half.
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I’ve always been just another [Portuguese] fighting for everybody’s goal,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. I would never turn my back on my teammates or my country. Ronaldo stated that he will “let everyone draw their own conclusions” from this point forward. He concluded his post by thanking Portugal and the host nation Qatar. For the time being. There isn’t much more to say. Thank you very much, Portugal. Thank you very much, Qatar. “The dream was lovely for as long as it lasted.
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Ronaldo also leaves Qatar without a club team. Manchester United released him with “immediate effect” after he gave a blistering interview on the eve of the World Cup in which he sharply criticized manager Erik ten Hag. Portugal, who has never won a World Cup, now must set their eyes on the 2024 European Championship in Germany, the next big football tournament on the international circuit.
There was no love lost between Moroccan fans and Ronaldo however.
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Where is Cristiano Ronaldo? Do you know where I’m going? “In my pocket,” a young Moroccan fan told Al Jazeera after the team defeated Portugal. United States rapper French Montana, who has Moroccan roots, also trolled Ronaldo on social media over the weekend. Ronaldo, you had your time… it’s Morocco time,” the Bronx rapper wrote on Saturday. Morocco’s semifinal place makes them both the first African and Arab teams to make it into the last four at a World Cup. Morocco will face reigning World Cup champions France in the tournament’s semifinal round on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium.
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