Youssef En-Nesyri’s stunning-headed goal sends Portugal packing out of Qatar, shattering the dreams and last hope of legendary player Christiano Ronaldo. In the tunnel, there were tears.
Too much of 2022 was spent by Cristiano Ronaldo trying to control his emotions.
The year has been a devastating rollercoaster for the legend, who had this year’s World Cup as his last to prove himself and hoped to bring the cup home. As the clubs played, soccer fans hoped for positive outcomes like casino news.
For most players, the exit may not be as devastating as this. Ronaldo, who would be 41 years old by the next World Cup commenced, had every right to be troubled and disappointed, knowing that his days as an athlete are nearing the end. Read on as we explore what happened to Ronaldo in the Al-Thumama tunnel:
What Happened to Ronaldo in Al-Thumama, Qatar?
As the victorious Moroccans knelt with excitement before their supporters, Ronaldo saw his dream fade right in front of him, unlike Lionel Messi or Luka Modric, who had significant chances of taking the trophy home. The next World Cup won’t be until 2026, leaving too much time for Ronaldo to hope for a second chance. Four years can make a great difference in athletic ability as you age.
Though Ronaldo was benched, even after 18 years of being in the starting 11, his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, gave him hope with his hat trick against Switzerland. One ambition, one medal, and one trophy slipped right out of his fingers. He was the only team member that made it out of the semi-final loss to France in 2006, but they won’t play Les Bleus again in the last four.
Fernando Santos stated, “We thought we could reach the final and win the final.”
Though Portugal had everything, one of the world cup’s favorites, raw talents, and team chemistry, they couldn’t cut through the Moroccan defence.
For a veteran Ballon d’Or winner, there may be a happy ending for Messi or Luka Modric, who appear to be able to control this tournament.
Brazilian Ronaldo remains the World Cup’s most extraordinary Ronaldo, and Christiano Ronaldo never got to score a goal in his career’s knockout stages.
Eusebio still stands as Portugal’s record scorer in the World Cup.
Santos, the loyalist who had benched him and finally stripped him of his privilege, defended his response.
“Cristiano Ronaldo and I were the two people who were the most upset, but that’s the job of the coach and the player,” he said.
Despite his statement, he had no regrets about benching Ronaldo: the proof against the charm had begun to pile up. He should have done it sooner.
If Messi, like Lothar Matthaus, participates in five World Cups and wins one, Ronaldo will join three Mexican footballers who played in a quintet but did not win the championship.
Even though his time in Germany is only remembered for a wink as Wayne Rooney was sent off, it has been a 16-year journey, beginning with a bright start in 2006, when he was the tournament’s outstanding youngster.
His brilliant hat trick against Spain in 2018 marked his most successful match.
He holds the scoring records for the European Championships, the Champions League, and international football, yet his World Cup career has been unimpressive for a player of his caliber.
He cited Carlos Queiroz as the cause of Portugal’s lone goal against North Korea in 2010.
Despite all hopes in 2014, an injury prevented him from performing at his best, and Portugal was eliminated at the group stage.
The World Cup had gone too far for Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, who also broke down in tears.
In both cases, schadenfreude was in abundance.
However, it was tempting to wonder whether that was the last time many of us would see Ronaldo, and not only in a World Cup, as he stomped down the tunnel at the Al Thumama.
