There have been many shocking events that we witnessed at the FIFA World Cup 2022. But soccer fans did not expect how they were going to feel when seeing the great Cristiano Ronaldo shed tears. His country, Portugal, crashed out of the World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Morocco. It was tough for the world to witness such a legend cry inconsolably after everything he has given to the beautiful game.
Heartbreak for Cristiano Ronaldo 💔 pic.twitter.com/QdZIUgwz1T
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2022
Ronaldo had a World Cup to forget this year. The only goal he scored came from the spot in Portugal’s opening game against Ghana. After that, he struggled to find the back of the net, despite featuring in two other group-stage games. Against, Switzerland, head coach Fernando Santos left his captain on the bench, which was a bold decision. But it’s safe to say that it worked out in the end, as his replacement scored a hat-trick.
However, Santos decided to do the same against Morocco, a team that was strong in the aerial department. It was unusual to have the player with Ronaldo‘s heading abilities on the bench for such a game. CR7’s girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, went off on Santos, and mentioned that he made the wrong decision. It was surely a game that Portugal could have won, Georgina believes.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo retired?
After Portugal crashed out of the tournament, rumors of Ronaldo’s international retirement flooded the internet. After all, he is arguably the biggest athlete in the world. The former Manchester United star boasts more than 500 million followers on Instagram, the most of any individual on the platform. Ronaldo’s silence on the matter was quite surprising as well, but he has come out with a statement today.
The 5x Ballon d’Or winner wrote on Instagram, “Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career. Fortunately I won many titles of international dimension, including Portugal, but putting our country’s name on the highest foot in the World was my biggest dream.”
“I fought for it . I fought hard for this dream. In the 5 appearances I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always by the side of great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave my all. Leave it all out on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream.”
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“Sadly yesterday the dream ended. It’s not worth reacting to heat. I just want you all to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has not changed not for a moment. I was always one fighting for the objective of all and I would never turn my back on my colleagues 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.”
Ronaldo mentions in his emotional statement that he never gave below his best for his country, despite all the false speculations that people tend to create. Together with that, the striker believes that his biggest dream, winning the World Cup for his country, has been crushed.
Sporting icons like Pele, Kylian Mbappe and LeBron James reacted to the Portuguese star’s statement as well. The 3x World Cup winner wrote some words of comfort, “Thanks for making us smile my friend.” On the other hand, Kylian Mbappe and LeBron James commented a “king” and “goat” emoji, and “LEGEND!!” respectively.
Ultimately, Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t directly address the retirement rumors, in terms of international soccer. But he has mentioned in the past that it is unlikely for him to play in the next World Cup. If he chooses to bid goodbye to his international career now, it would be an illustrious one, filled with the UEFA Euro 2016 trophy, and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. Let’s not forget the 118 goals he has scored for Portugal in all competitions.