Ronaldo admits he's played in last World Cup, won't confirm Portugal retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo broke his silence a day after Portugal was knocked out of the 2022 World Cup.

The 37-year-old posted a cryptic message on Instagram, acknowledging that his dream of winning a World Cup has "ended" after Portugal's quarterfinal defeat to Morocco on Saturday. Portugal's all-time leading scorer left the pitch in tears but left the door open for a possible return to the national team.

"There's no point in reacting rashly," Ronaldo said, as translated by The Associated Press. "I just want everybody to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated about, but my dedication to Portugal has never wavered for an instant."

He added: "In my five appearances at World Cups over 16 years, always playing alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I have given my all. I left everything I had on the pitch. I'll never shrink from a battle and I have never given up on that dream.

"Unfortunately, that dream ended yesterday."

Ronaldo scored in Portugal's opening game at the World Cup and started all three group stage contests but was forced to come off the bench in both knockout stage matches after falling out with head coach Fernando Santos. The issue apparently stemmed from his angry reaction to being substituted during Portugal's defeat to South Korea.

After that group stage loss, Portugal issued a statement denying reports that Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team following the incident with Santos. Ronaldo suggested at the time that the media was trying to split the squad, saying Portugal was "too united to be broken by external forces."

Ronaldo will be 39 when the European Championship begins in 2024 and 41 when the next World Cup kicks off in 2026.