Morocco on Saturday eliminated Portugal to become the first African team to reach the fifa world cup semi-finals.
A visibly upset Ronaldo after the defeat was in tears as images of him in an emotional state took social media by storm.
In his first comments after the elimination, Ronaldo said it was ‘time to take stock’ without explicitly saying whether he wants to continue being available for Portugal.
“There is no point in reacting recklessly,” Ronaldo wrote. “I just want everyone to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has never wavered for a moment.
“I have always been one more (Portuguese) who fights for everyone’s goal. I would never turn my back on my teammates or my country.”
Ronaldo, who is the all-time top scorer in men’s international football with 118 goals, said putting Portugal “at the highest level in the world” was his biggest dream.
“In my five World Cup appearances in 16 years, always playing alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave it my all,” he wrote. “I left everything I had on the pitch. I will never back down from a battle and I never gave up on that dream.
“Unfortunately, that dream ended yesterday.”
Ronaldo said he would ‘let everyone draw their own conclusions’.
“For now. There’s not much more to say. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful while it lasted.”
The next major tournament is the European Championship in 2024. Ronaldo will be 41 by the time of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
(With AP inputs)
