Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears while heading down the tunnel after Portugal was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2022 by Morocco.
Moroccan supporters outside the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar went viral as they mocked the Portuguese soccer legend.
This season has already proved to be one of the most difficult for Ronaldo. While the narrative in the media has never been his best friend throughout his career, this season seems to be an anomaly altogether. Ronaldo was still good for goals last season. However, this season, with personal difficulties mounting, he has found it increasingly challenging to get on the scoresheet for club and country.
Portugal’s exit from the World Cup would most certainly serve as salt to his wounds. To make matters worse, it seems like hate is all fans are interested in giving him.
I want to ask where is Ronaldo
Portugal Airport that way 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/sMbB1mxMc8
— Pfarelo (@Pfarelo__) December 11, 2022
The actions of Moroccan fans in a video clipping that went viral have received mixed reactions from the soccer fraternity.
Some sections of fans believe that the Moroccans had fair cause to burst into celebrations from the moment the referee blew the whistle for full-time.
Celebrations in Rabat last night after Morocco v Portugal pic.twitter.com/Pe22MxIOpR
— 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 (@thecasualultra) December 11, 2022
Others have been constantly criticizing the disrespect inflicted by them on one of soccer’s beloved stars.
Ruthless Moroccan fans mock Cristiano Ronaldo as his world cup dream comes to an end
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored before halftime to give Morocco the lead. Portuguese manager Fernando Santos who had benched Cristiano Ronaldo had to call upon the services of his star man earlier than expected.
Ronaldo was brought on in the 51st minute of the contest. However, even with the presence of Ronaldo along with a lot of attacking talent in the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, and others, Portugal was not able to find a way through the human blockade set up by the Moroccans.
Cristiano Ronaldo could not bear the defeat. He was inconsolable as he walked down the tunnel in tears.
A few hours after the game, video clippings of the fans of the victors surfaced online. In these clippings, the fans can be seen mocking the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and his entire team. This video was shared by GOAL.
Most of the fans were seen saying “The Airport is That Way” in the clippings. Others yelled, asking sarcastically, “Where is Ronaldo?”. Yet others found different ways to ridicule the soccer legend and his country. Shockingly, even a little girl from among the Red Sea of Moroccan fans showed no mercy. “Ronaldo is crying in his car,” she said.
Did Ronaldo fake cry?
Ronaldo has become a topic of hot debate on the internet.
Questions ranging from his next destination as a soccer player to his retirement are all being asked on social media. The only thing that seems to get more hits than his plans, though, is the accusations leveled against him.
The amount of hate Ronaldo receives daily is shocking. The latest accusation against Ronaldo is that he was “fake crying.” The soccer fanbase has been divided on this issue since Portugal lost to Morocco.
While the majority of fans online have expressed their condolences to Ronaldo and Portugal, there remain some sections of fans who think that Ronaldo did not cry after Portugal’s loss.
Was Cristiano Ronaldo Laughing or Crying? Sure looks like he was laughing at the end of the video. #Portugal #WorldCup #CR7𓃵 pic.twitter.com/RW4VZofwKj
— TownieKed617 (@joeroganpod) December 10, 2022
Even though there are several images and video clippings of the Ex-Manchester United talisman crying after the game as he is escorted into the tunnel, some fans have taken the images to mean otherwise. They have confused the tears in the image with a smirk.
Even as a Messi fan this video of Ronaldo crying breaks my heart.
Truly The End #CR7𓃵
Congratulations Africa and the Arab community.
.
.
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Up Morocco, Piers Morgan, Ororo, Bruno Fernandes, Peter Drury, My GOAT, Ziyech, pic.twitter.com/uyhn7xNRa2— SIR LAW THE GAME CHANGER PhD (@ComedianSirLaw) December 10, 2022
Whatever the case may be, the consensus seems to be with the narrative that Ronaldo was in fact in tears after the loss.
