Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence on Portugal’s World Cup exit after he started the 1-0 knockout against Morocco on the bench.
The 37-year-old started his side’s quarter-final defeat to the North African giants on the bench and only came on in the 51st minute when Portugal were 1-0 down.
However, he has just 10 touches and wasn’t able to help get a toothless Portugal side onto the scoresheet.
As a consequence, Ronaldo’s World Cup – likely his last – ended in tears. He now took to Instagram to break his silence on the exit and insisted he always gave his all for the team and his dream of lifting the Jules Rimet trophy.
“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career,” he stated.
“Fortunately, I won many titles of international dimension, including for Portugal, but putting our country’s name on the highest level in the world was my biggest dream.
“I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream. In the five presences I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese people, I gave my all.
“I left everything on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream. Unfortunately, yesterday the dream ended.
“It is not worth reacting 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 not 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 be a good advisor and allow each one to draw their own conclusions.”
