DOHA: After Portugal was knocked out of the World Cup in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to admit that his ambition of winning the championship with his country is ended.
After losing to Morocco 1-0 in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Doha, Portugal was denied a spot in the semifinals.
Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Sunday, "Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career. "My biggest desire was to elevate the name of our nation to the highest level in the globe," the athlete said. "Fortunately, I won numerous titles of international scope, including for Portugal. Ronaldo had only scored once in four World Cup appearances, a penalty against Ghana, and had started the game at Al Thumama stadium from the bench for the second straight game.
The defeat to Morocco was almost certainly Ronaldo's last appearance in football's showpiece tournament. After the final whistle, the ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus player cut a forlorn figure as he left the pitch in tears.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been capped 195 times and scored a record 118 goals for his country, will be 41 when the next World Cup commences in the United States, Canada and Mexico
"I battled for it. Ronaldo, who is currently without a club after leaving Manchester United by mutual agreement in November, said: "I fought hard for this dream.
I scored in five World Cups over the course of 16 years, constantly playing with outstanding players and with the backing of countless Portuguese fans. I abandoned everything on the pitch. I never stopped fighting and I never gave up on my dream.
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