Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted to the images of him breaking down after the 0-1 shock defeat against Morocco in the Fifa World Cup Quarter Final in Qatar on Saturday. Ronaldo was seen inconsolably crying on the field after what could well be his last World Cup appearance.
The Portuguese star on Sunday put out a statement on Instagram on Sunday, saying winning a World Cup was his "biggest dream".
"Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career. Fortunately I won many titles of international dimension, including Portugal, but putting our country's name on the highest pedestal in the world was my biggest dream."
"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," he said.
Hinting that this could be his last World Cup appearance, he said that his dream has ended.
Ronaldo said: "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 hasn't changed for a moment. I was always one fighting for the objective of all and I would never turn my back on my colleagues and my country."
"Not much more to say for now. Thank you Portugal. Thank you Qatar The dream was nice while it lasted... Now, it's hoping that the weather will be good advisor and allow each one to draw their own conclusions," he added.