CNN
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A day after leaving the 2022 World Cup in tears as his possibilities to win the event for the primary time in his profession had been shattered, Portugal famous person striker Cristiano Ronaldo stated bringing a World Cup title to Portugal was “the most important and most bold dream” of his profession however “the dream was stunning whereas it lasted.”
Portugal was shocked 1-0 by Morocco within the quarterfinals on Saturday.
“To win a World Cup for Portugal was the most important and most bold dream of my profession,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
“Luckily, I gained a variety of titles of worldwide dimension, together with Portugal, however to place the title of our nation within the highest degree on the earth was my greatest dream.
“I fought for it. I fought quite a bit for that dream. Within the 5 instances I used to be current in World Cups all through 16 years, all the time subsequent to nice gamers and supported by thousands and thousands of Portuguese, I gave it my all. I left every thing on the sector. I by no means confronted away from the battle and I by no means gave up on that dream.”
It’s possible the 37-year-old’s remaining look at a World Cup. He started Portugal’s spherical of 16 and quarterfinal video games in its place after being benched by the workforce’s coach Fernando Santos.
Ronaldo continued: “Sadly, yesterday that dream ended. There’s no level in reacting hot-headed. I simply need everybody to know that quite a bit has been stated, quite a bit was written, quite a bit was speculated, however my dedication to Portugal didn’t change even for a second. I used to be all the time only one [person] preventing for everybody’s objective and I might by no means flip my again in opposition to my mates and my nation.”
Brazilian soccer nice Pelé and Ronaldo’s two sisters had been amongst many who commented on his submit.
Pelé wrote, “Thanks for making us smile, my pal.”
Ronaldo’s sister Elma Aveiro stated, “Completely my love, you gave your coronary heart to Portugal.”
His different sister, Katia Aveiro, added one phrase: “Proud!”
In his 22 World Cup appearances, Ronaldo has scored eight objectives and earlier on this yr’s event he turned the primary man to attain in 5 World Cups.
Nevertheless, his benching by Santos and his latest contract termination from Manchester United, which was introduced simply after the World Cup began, arguably overshadowed Ronaldo’s time at Qatar 2022, a event the place he scored only one objective.
“For now, there may be not a lot else to say,” he added. “Thanks, Portugal. Thanks, Qatar. The dream was stunning whereas it lasted… Now, we anticipate what time will inform and permit everybody to take their very own conclusions.”
