Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo posted his ideas on Instagram after his workforce have been knocked out within the quarterfinals by a recreation Morocco aspect.
“Profitable a World Cup for Portugal was the largest and most bold dream of my profession. Happily, I gained many titles of worldwide dimension, together with for Portugal, however placing the title of our nation on the best degree on the planet was my largest dream,” he wrote on the social media website.
“I fought for it. I fought exhausting for this dream. Within the 5 presences that I scored in World Cups over 16 years, all the time alongside nice gamers and supported by tens of millions of Portuguese individuals, I gave my all. I left the whole lot on the sector. I by no means turned my face to the battle and I by no means gave up on that dream,” he added.
Ronaldo has been within the eye of the proverbial storm since he landed in Qatar. Be it his vastly publicized departure from Manchester United earlier than he kicked a ball within the World Cup to his gesture after being subbed off by Portugal coach Fernando Santos throughout a 1-2 loss to South Korea throughout the group phases, each single transfer he has made has been scrutinized.
Issues got here to a head when he was dropped on the bench in a final 16 match in opposition to Switzerland, with stories circulating all was not properly between Ronaldo and Santos. Regardless that the Portugal coach denied any such rift, Ronaldo was once more dropped to the bench within the quarterfinal conflict in opposition to Morocco, the match which might finally be Portugal’s final on this World Cup
“Sadly, yesterday the dream ended. I simply need everybody to know that a lot has been stated, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated, however my dedication to Portugal has not modified for an on the spot. I used to be all the time another particular person combating for everybody’s objective and I’d by no means flip my again on my teammates and my nation,” Ronaldo would go on so as to add within the Insta submit.
“For now, there’s not far more to say. Thanks, Portugal. Thanks, Qatar. The dream was stunning whereas it lasted… Now, it’s time to be a great advisor and permit each to attract their very own conclusions,” he signed off.