Football

World Cup 2022: Cristiano Ronaldo issues emotional statement after Portugal’s exit in Qatar

World Cup 2022: Cristiano Ronaldo issues emotional statement after Portugal’s exit in Qatar

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to Instagram to provide his fans with an update after his exit from the 2022 World Cup.

The forward was knocked out of the competition with his country after a 1-0 loss to Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Ronaldo was, however, forced to watch on from the bench for the start of the match. It was the second successive game at the 2022 World Cup that he found himself in such a position.

A substitute early in the second half, he failed to make an impact as the African side secured a memorable victory.

Ronaldo ‘fought hard’ for World Cup dream

Ronaldo was in tears in the tunnel after the defeat, in what looks set to have been his final World Cup match.

The 37-year-old has scored eight goals from his 22 matches in the competition, and is the only male player to have scored in five different World Cups.

“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career,” Ronaldo wrote.

“Fortunately, I won many titles of international dimension, including for Portugal, but putting the name of our country on the biggest one in the world was my biggest dream.

“I battled for it. I fought hard for this dream. In the five presences that I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese people, I gave it my all.”

Ronaldo

Ronaldo ‘never gave up the fight’

Ronaldo continued by saying that he never gave up on his ambition while playing for his country, with his dedication to the team also remaining constant.

There is much speculation regarding his future for both club and country. At 37 years old, it seems that Portugal are already planning for life without him. He watched on as his replacement Goncalo Ramos netted a hat-trick in the 6-1 round of 16 win over Switzerland.

Ronaldo’s club situation meanwhile remains unclear, with the forward recently let go by Manchester United. A Saudi Arabian move has been talked about in detail in the media, but a move to Premier League club Chelsea is also reportedly an option.

The attacker has also been linked with a return to both Spain and Italy, having played there previously for Real Madrid and Juventus respectively.

For now, however, Ronaldo says there is not much more to talk about, other than his disappointment at failing to land the World Cup with his country.

“I left everything on the pitch,” wrote Ronaldo. “I never gave up the fight or dream. Unfortunately, yesterday the dream ended. It is not worth reacting too hot. 

“I just want everyone to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has never changed for an instant.

“I was always one more person fighting for everyone’s goal and I would never turn my back on my teammates and my country.  For now, there’s not much more to say. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful while it lasted…

“Now, it’s time to allow history to tell the story and for each one to draw their own conclusions.”


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