Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence after Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco.
Ronaldo cut an emotional figure as he went straight down the tunnel in tears after seeing his dream ended in what is almost certain to be his final World Cup campaign. The 37-year-old did not speak to the press in the mixed zone, whilst other teammates such as Pepe and Bruno Fernandes took aim at the referee and attempted to come to terms with the result.
However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has now taken to social media to offer his assessment of their World Cup failure having been dropped from the starting line-up for their two knockout games.
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Ronaldo wrote on Instagram : "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 foot 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.
"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 has not changed not 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."
Ronaldo's girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, wasted no time taking aim at manager Fernando Santos after Portugal's exit.
She wrote on social media: "You shouldn't give your face for those who don't deserve it.
"Today your friend and coach made the wrong decision. That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect. The same one who, when putting you on the field, saw how everything changed, but it was too late.
"You can't underestimate the best player of the world, its most powerful weapon. Much less should one stand up for those who don't deserve it. Life gives us lessons. Today we don't lose, we learn. We admire you."
Santos, however, doubled down on his stance on Ronaldo and defended the decision to leave him out of the starting line-up.
Santos said: "I don't regret it, the team did very well in the game with Switzerland. Cristiano is a huge player and he came in when we understood that it was necessary in the game. I have no such regrets. "
