Ronaldo tight-lipped on future after loss

Sochi, July 1: 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.

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 skipper said after the game.

The 33-year-old did however say that the European champions could look to the future with confidence. “I am sure that Portugal will continue to be one of the best teams in 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.

This has been his best World Cup in terms of goals scored, as he leaves with four in total, including a hattrick in a 3-3 draw with Spain in the group stage.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos was hopeful that the Real Madrid man will continue to represent his country for some time yet, with Portugal’s next challenge to defend the European title they won in France two years ago. “I am sure he will, he still has a lot to give to the game,” Santos said.