“It was ‘horrible’ watching Cristiano Ronaldo break down in tears” Gary Neville says after Portugal’s World Cup exit
After Portugal’s World Cup elimination, Gary Neville admits it was “terrible” to witness his old Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo sob.
Morocco defeated Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, making Walid Regragui’s team the first African nation to do it.
Ronaldo, who had been benched earlier in the competition, came off the bench after the break to tie the men’s record for most appearances in international competitions with 196.
However, Youssef En-first-half Nesyri’s goal decided the quarterfinal, as the 37-year-old, who was let go by Manchester United last month, was unable to help Portugal score an equalizer.
In tears at full time, Ronaldo walked straight down the tunnel after seeing his hopes destroyed in what is very definitely going to be his final World Cup.
In a contentious interview he gave to Piers Morgan last month, Ronaldo infuriated Manchester United and a number of club icons, but Neville was still able to empathize with his old teammate.
winning the Ballon d’Or five times Ronaldo claimed to have “no regard” for Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, and claimed that Neville and Wayne Rooney had criticized him frequently.
Neville remarked on his Sky Sports podcast, “I do want to address Cristiano Ronaldo because I saw that footage of him crying in the tunnel.”
“I had a terrible image of that.” He realizes at that very time that his country’s ambition of winning the World Cup has failed.
We’ve all experienced it at the conclusion of our careers, but he’s among the best players ever, if not the best. It was awful to see him in that condition. He’s had a difficult few months.
Morocco will play the defending champions France in the World Cup semi-finals after France defeated England earlier in the day thanks to Portugal’s loss.
In the other semi-final, Argentina, who defeated Netherlands on penalties in the previous round, will try to defeat 2018 runners-up Croatia, who will aim to advance to back-to-back World Cup finals.
Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Sunday in response to Portugal’s World Cup elimination: “Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career.”
“Thank goodness, I won numerous championships of a global scope, including for Portugal, but having our nation’s name on the biggest one in the world was my fondest desire,” I said.
“I fought for it.” For this dream, I battled valiantly. I gave it everything in the five World Cup appearances I had during a 16-year period, always playing with outstanding players and with millions of Portuguese fans cheering me on.
‘I left everything on the pitch. I never gave up the fight or dream. Unfortunately, yesterday the dream ended.
‘It is not worth reacting too hot. I just want everyone to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has never changed for an instant.
‘I was always one more person fighting for everyone’s goal and I would never turn my back on my teammates and my country.
‘For now, there’s not much more to say. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful while it lasted… Now, it’s time to allow history to tell the story and for each one to draw their own conclusions.’