Portugal still counting on Ronaldo
Morocco player involved in fatal car crash
At 33, Cristiano Ronaldo must surely be nearing the end with Portugal’s national team. He’s not saying, though. “Now is not the time to talk about the future,” Ronaldo said after Portugal’s 2-1 loss to Uruguay at the World Cup. “I’m sure the national team will remain as one of the best in the world. We have great players, a fantastic group with young players with great ambition to win, and that’s why I’m confident, and I’m happy because I know the national team will always be giving its best.”
Ronaldo helped Portugal win their first major trophy two years ago at the European Championship. That run ended in the round of 16 at the World Cup, with Ronaldo again failing to score for his country in the knockout round of the tournament. Ronaldo will be 35 by the next European Championship and 37 by the next World Cup in Qatar. “The national team will keep winning,” he said after Saturday’s match.
BRonaldo had a great start at the tournament in Russia, scoring four goals in two matches, but he was held scoreless in the next two games as Portugal lost first place in their group and eventually were eliminated by Uruguay.
In his fourth World Cup, Ronaldo couldn’t hide his frustration late in the match in Sochi, furiously complaining with the referee after a non-call for a foul that could have given Portugal a last chance to equalise.
He was much calmer after the match, politely shaking the referee’s hand and smiling as he slowly walked past reporters without taking any questions.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos expected Ronaldo to keep contributing to the national team.
“Cristiano still has a lot to give to football,” Santos said. “We already have a new competition in September (UEFA Nations League), and obviously, we want Cristiano to be with us. He can help the younger players with his knowledge. We have a team with a lot of young players, so it’s important that our captain remains with us.”
Local authorities in Marrakech say a player for Morocco’s national team at the World Cup has been in involved in a car crash in which someone died.
Amine Harit, a 21-year-old midfielder, was driving in the city on Friday when the accident occurred. According to reports, Harit collided with a pedestrian attempting to cross a road.
Hicham Boulatar, the regional authority’s head of communications in Marrakech, told The Associated Press that the victim was 29 or 30 years old and that Harit’s brother was also in the vehicle.
Harit has been released pending an investigation, and his passport has been suspended.
Morocco were eliminated from the World Cup in Russia at the end of the group stage.