VIDEO: Is Ronaldo going to continue his World Cup dream after Portugal exit?
Cristiano Ronaldo cries on the field after Portugal lost to Morocco in World Cup Quarter-Finals. Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portugal national team, confirmed that he would not retire from international football, in an official statement after losing to Morocco 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Ronaldo wrote a message on his official Facebook page and said, “Winning the World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career.. Fortunately, I won many international titles and also with the Portugal national team, but putting our country’s name on the highest foot in the world was the biggest dream."
He added: “I fought for Portugal... I fought hard for this dream... In the 5 times I scored in the World Cup over the course of 16 years, always with the great players and with the support of millions of Portuguese, I gave everything I had. I leave everything out. I never turned to fight, and I never gave up on that dream.”
Ronaldo continued: “Unfortunately the dream ended yesterday, I want you all to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated but my focus with Portugal has not changed for a moment. I was always one, fighting for everyone's goal, and I would never turn my back on my teammates and my country.”
He emphasized, “There is not much to say now. Thanks to Portugal. Thanks Qatar.”
The family of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo called for the expulsion of national team coach Fernando Santos, because of his wrong decision to put Ronaldo on the bench against Morocco.
Georgina, the fiancée of the star, wrote under a picture of Ronaldo on her Instagram account: “You cannot underestimate the value of the best player in the world and the most powerful weapon of the national team, and you cannot commit to engaging someone who does not deserve to be.”
“Life teaches us a lesson. We were not defeated today, but we learned a lesson.”
Ronaldo touched the ball after landing only 10 times and shot once at the net of the brilliant Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Ronaldo's sister, Elma Aveiro, commented: "Sad for the team, this is the time to raise our heads high, God knows everything": attached to the hashtag "Santos Out".
Ronaldo's other sister, Katia Aveiro, hinted that the star would remain until the age of 41, and wrote on Instagram, "41 years is the jewel of life," indicating that her brother will be of this age when the 2026 World Cup comes.
