Portugal are out of the World Cup.
They lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarter-finals in a massive shock result in Qatar which created a bit of history. They are the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Cristiano Ronaldo has, as ever, hogged the headlines even though he was dropped to the bench for both knockout games for his country.
He sat out the comprehensive win over Switzerland in the last 16 and was again named among the substitutes for the quarter-final clash against Morocco. He was brought on with 40 minutes to go in a bid to get Portugal back into the tie.
Recently released by Manchester United, his club future is up in the air and his international plans are also subject of debate.
On his retirement plans, Ronaldo told Piers Morgan last month : “I want to play two years more, three years more. So two or three years maximum. I want to finish at 40. I think 40, will be a good age…
“But I don’t know, I don’t know the future. Sometimes you plan one thing for your life and as I told many times, the life is dynamic. And you never know what’s going to happen.”
The 37-year-old admitted that the tournament in the Middle East could be his last World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, he said: “It’s difficult to tell right now, it’s because, we, my mood is right now towards the World Cup. It’s probably my last World Cup, of course, my fifth World Cup.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen after the World Cup, but as I told you before, and I will say again, the fans will be always in my heart.
“And I hope they’ve been in my side, even if I back, or if I’m not back, or if I stay or whatever. Nobody’s perfect. Episodes in the life we all have is part of being human beings, it’s part of me to be a human being and father as well. I always will commit mistakes.
“But I don’t know, it’s hard to tell right now what’s going to happen after the World Cup because my focus is for the World Cup, for the Portugal national team.”
READ MORE:
Who will England play if the beat France in the World Cup tonight?
Argentina players seen 'mocking' Netherlands team over penalty shoot-out win
Is England v France on BBC or ITV? TV channel and live stream details for World Cup quarter-final
Brazil dumped out of World Cup by Croatia as players left in tears
