With his dream of winning a World Cup for Portugal shattered, an inconsolable Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch after his team's upset defeat against Morocco in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
There were contrasting emotions on the field after the referee blew the full-time whistle. While the Moroccans celebrated a stunning win to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals, the Portuguese players were left stunned and visuals of a tearful Ronaldo walking back through the tunnel melted hearts.
At 37, this could well be Ronaldo's last World Cup appearance, after he started the quarterfinal on the bench and came in later as a substitute. It was the 196th international cap for Ronaldo, which equals the all-time men's record.
Ronaldo was part of the Portugal team that won Euro 2016. But holding the World Cup trophy may now remain an unfulfilled desire for one of the greats of the game.
On Saturday against Morocco, Ronaldo was never left free and had just a solitary shot at goal after coming on as a substitute.
Now, after being left disappointed with another failure at the game's biggest stage, Ronaldo will have to take a call about his club career as well.
He is currently without a club. His association with Manchester United ended following his controversial comments on a TV interview.
(With agency inputs)
