CRISTAINO Ronaldo sobbed as his Portugal team was defeated 1-0 by Morocco in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, ending his chances of winning the tournament for the first time in his career.
Ronaldo was escorted by a member of staff from the pitch at Al Thumama Stadium to the Portugal team dressing room immediately following the defeat – the first time an African team has reached the World Cup semifinals – as the 37-year-old was unable to contain his emotions.
Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance is likely to be as a substitute in Portugal’s round of 16 and quarterfinal games after being benched by coach Fernando Santos.
Ronaldo came on early in the second half of Saturday’s match, but it was in vain as Portugal was defeated by the Atlas Lions thanks to Youssef En-first-half Nesyri’s header.
Ronaldo’s appearance was the 196th of his Portugal career, tying him with Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait for the most caps in men’s international football history.
