Cristiano keeps ’em guessing
Cristiano Ronaldo saw his World Cup dreams slip away once again on Saturday but gave no hint as to whether he plans to continue playing for Portugal.
The reigning European champion was undone by two Edinson Cavani goals for Uruguay in a last16 tie in Sochi, despite Pepe’s second-half equalizer.
Ronaldo exited the tournament on the same day as Lionel Messi’s Argentina was eliminated following a 4-3 defeat to France.
Ronaldo will be nearly 38 by the time the next World Cup comes around in Qatar in 2022.
“Now is not the time to talk about the future, either of the coach or the players,” the Portugal captain said.
The 33-year-old, however, sees a bright future for his national team.
“I am sure that Portugal will continue to be one of the best teams in
mourn their country’s elimination from the World Cup after a 2-1 last-16 loss to Uruguay in Sochi.
the world. We have a young and ambitious squad,” he said.
Remarkably, neither Ronaldo nor Messi have managed to score a single goal in a knockout tie in four World Cups going back to 2006.
Ronaldo reached the semifinals with Portugal in his first World Cup in Germany, but has never made it past the last 16 since then.
Despite missing a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Iran, this has been his most prolific finals in terms of goals — netting four times, including a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos was hopeful that the Real Madrid star will not quit his country yet.
“I am sure he will (continue). Cristiano still has a lot to give to the game,” Santos said.
Ronaldo’s future with Madrid is also unclear after he suggested he could leave the Spanish giant in the wake of its Champions League final win over Liverpool in May.