Ronaldo Won't Make 'Heat of Moment’ Decision After Portugal Exit

Cristiano Ronaldo

In response to Portugal's World Cup elimination, Cristiano Ronaldo said on Sunday, "There’s no point in reacting in the heat of the moment"

While several of the Portugal team members flew back to their homes and arrived in Lisbon on Sunday afternoon, Ronaldo remained in Qatar.

“To win 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,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.

Although he did not mention it in his post, he began Portugal's final two games in Qatar from the bench, a move that sparked controversy both in Portugal and throughout the football world.

“Let’s hope that time will be a good counsellor and allow everyone to draw their own conclusions,” he wrote.

Ronaldo, who is 37, was competing in his fifth World Cup. He started down the tunnel as soon as the final whistle blew, tears flowing down his face.

Ronaldo is now without a club following a contentious split from Manchester United.

Ronaldo allegedly threatened to quit the team after being benched, but Fernando Santos, the head coach, has refuted this and will shortly meet with the Portuguese Football Association to consider his own future.

“I just want everyone to know that a lot was said, a lot was written, a lot was speculated, but my dedication to Portugal didn’t change for an instant,” Ronaldo added.

“I was always one more player fighting for everyone’s goal and I would never turn my back on my teammates and my country.”

“In the five World Cups I played, always alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave it my all. I left everything on the field. I never turned my back on the fight and I never gave up on this dream.

“Unfortunately, yesterday the dream ended. The dream was beautiful while it lasted.”

Portugal central defender Pepe was asked about his former Real Madrid club mate, as he returned on Sunday. He said Ronaldo was “fine”.

“I want to thank him, as well as all my teammates who gave their best,” said Pepe.