![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/image_2022-12-13_103316418.png\" "\\"Ronaldo\\"\/")
Cristiano Ronaldo said in a cryptic social media post that his dream of winning the\u00a0World Cup\u00a0with Portugal has ended while stopping short of announcing his retirement from international duty.<\/p>\n
The 37-year-old\u00a0Ronaldo left the field in tears\u00a0after\u00a0Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco\u00a0in the quarterfinals on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In his first comments after the elimination, Ronaldo said Sunday that it was \u201ctime to take stock\u201d without saying explicitly if he wants to carry on being available for Portugal after 19 years in the national team.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThere\u2019s no point in reacting rashly,\u201d Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. \u201cI just want everybody to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated about, but my dedication to Portugal has never wavered for an instant.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been just one more (Portuguese) fighting for everyone\u2019s goal. I would never turn my back on my teammates or my country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronaldo, who is the all-time leading scorer in men\u2019s international soccer with 118 goals, said putting Portugal \u201con the highest level in the world\u201d was his biggest dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my five appearances at World Cups over 16 years, always playing alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I have given my all,\u201d he wrote. \u201cI left everything I had on the pitch. I\u2019ll never shrink from a battle and I have never given up on that dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, that dream ended yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronaldo said he would now \u201clet everyone draw their own conclusions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor now. There\u2019s not much else to say. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful as long as it lasted.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next major tournament is the European Championship in 2024. The next World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, by which time Ronaldo will be 41 years old.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is without a club after leaving Manchester United during the World Cup in the wake of an\u00a0explosive interview\u00a0before the tournament when he criticized the manager, board and his teammates at the English club.<\/p>\n
His only goal at the World Cup was a penalty against Ghana in Portugal\u2019s opening group game. He became the first male player to score at five World Cups.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo started on the bench for Portugal\u2019s games in the last 16 \u2014\u00a0a 6-1 victory over Switzerland\u00a0\u2014 and the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
Before the game against Morocco, Portugal coach Fernando Santos denied reports Ronaldo threatened to leave the World Cup after being told he wasn\u2019t going to be in the starting lineup against Switzerland.<\/p>\n
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