CRISTIANO RONALDO has shared a cryptic post just days after Portugal’s World Cup exit.
The forward was in tears as he left the pitch, after losing his final opportunity to win a World Cup in his career.
Ronaldo, 37, again started on the bench for the clash with Morocco, being called upon in the 51st minute by boss Fernando Santos.
Despite his early introduction, the former Manchester United marksman was unable to prevent his side from slipping to a 1-0 defeat.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner now faces an uncertain future, having been axed by the Red Devils last month.
He has been linked with a megabucks move to Saudi Arabia, but a transfer has yet to materialise.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
Following his tearful exit from the World Cup, Ronaldo was defended by The Sun’s Piers Morgan.
Partner Georgina Rodriguez could only watch on, having already criticised Fernando Santos for not picking her man on Instagram.
Following his side’s exit, Ronaldo wrote in an emotional statement: “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 for Portugal, but putting the name of our country on the highest level in the world was my biggest dream.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream. In the 5 appearances that I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese people, I gave my all.
“I left everything on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream.
“Unfortunately, yesterday the dream ended. It is not worth reacting to heat.”
Despite his disappointment, Ronaldo is now set to go back to the drawing board, as he plots his next move.
In updating his fans, United’s former No7 cryptically wrote: “3 aspects of reality.
“Pain, uncertainty and constant work.”
Despite being criticised by his former team-mate last month, Gary Neville said it was “horrible” to see Ronaldo in tears after Portugal’s World Cup exit.
‘THAT WAS A HORRIBLE IMAGE’
The pundit told his Sky Sports podcast: “I do want to mention Cristiano Ronaldo, because I saw that image of him crying in the tunnel. That was a horrible image for me.
“That’s that moment where he knows his dream of winning the World Cup for his country has gone.
Read More on The Sun
“We’ve all been there at the end of our careers, but he’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest player of all time.
“It was horrible to see him like that. He’s had a tough couple of months.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
