Former Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence after Portugal’s World Cup elimination and received support from Mario Balotelli. ‘The dream is over. Time will allow everyone to draw their own conclusions.’
Coach Fernando Santos was bitterly criticised for his decisions in the tournament, especially leaving both Cristiano Ronaldo and Milan winger Rafael Leao on the bench for the knockout fixtures.
Although it worked wonders when thrashing Switzerland 6-1, they were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in the quarter-final.
“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career,” wrote Ronaldo on Instagram.
“Fortunately, I won many international titles, including for Portugal, but putting the name of our country at the top of the world was my biggest dream.
“I fought for this. I fought hard for this dream. In the five World Cups I participated in over 16 years, always flanked by great players and supported by millions of Portuguese fans, I gave my all. I left everything out there on the field.
“I never turned away when the time came to fight, I never gave up on this dream. Unfortunately, yesterday the dream was over.”
CR7 then turned towards the reports he had threatened to walk away from the World Cup in Qatar after he was dropped to the bench.
“It’s not worth reacting in the heat of the moment. I just want everyone to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated on, but my dedication to Portugal never changed even for an instant. I always fought for everyone’s objective and would never have turned my back on my teammates and my country.
“There’s not much else to say right now. Thank you Portugal. Thank you Qatar. The dream was wonderful as long as it lasted…
“Now, hopefully time will allow everyone to draw their own conclusions.”
Meanwhile, Ronaldo received support from an unexpected source, namely former Italy international Balotelli with an Instagram post.
“I am not his fan, as is well known, but for everything he’s done for football, this lad DESERVES MORE RESPECT.”
humble pie for ronaldo and his silly fanboys
a playr who publicly says “I dont respect my manager” should not be respected at all.
Go Messi 🙂
Take your fleet of super cars and drive off into the sunset
Breaks silence?? Did he ever shut up?? If it isn’t him, it is one of his Madeiran mafia ladies don’t the bidding for him.
CALMAAA!!! Rosemary, get back to work and start getting the haddock ready. Batter time for you tomorrow at your local chippy. Do not forget to turn on the fryer as well. Gonna need lots of chips as your Chipland crashed out.
Shut up, Lord. Moron.
Calcio Paulie.
Not worth feeding the failed venmo trader.
Rosemary is that you talking to yourself ? Must be quiet at your chippy. If so make me a cuppa, milk and no sugar, but get the biscuits ready.