Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo revealed on Sunday that his dream of winning the FIFA World Cup has come to an end after his country was eliminated from the ongoing 2022 Qatar edition by Morocco following a 1-0 defeat.
In a post on all his social media platforms, the 37-year-old confirmed he will not play in the FIFA World Cup again.
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.
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.
Wrote Ronaldo
At what was his World Cup finale, Ronaldo only scored once from the spot against Ghana and started from the bench in his last two matches.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner made five World Cup appearances playing eight games in total in the knockout stages of those competitions in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.
The former Manchester United FC forward only scored eight goals in the group stage and failed to find the back of the net in the World Cup knockout stage despite playing 570 minutes and attempting 27 shots.
With his World Cup campaign now done, Ronaldo’s future in his club football career is uncertain after Manchester United released him with “immediate effect” following his scathing interview with Piers Morgan on the Uncensored show which aired on the eve of the World Cup.
In the interview, Ronaldo criticized Manchester United management and manager Erik ten Hag, saying he does not respect him.
Prior to that, Ten Hag dropped him from the United starting lineup as he only started four games in 10 Premier League matches and scored just once.
During the World Cup’s group stage, rumors circulated that he had agreed to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after the Saudi Pro League club reportedly offered him £300 million for three years, but the former Real Madrid and Juventus talisman denied the reports.
It remains to be seen where Ronaldo will play when club football resumes, especially given his repeated statements that he will not be retiring from active football anytime soon.
