Tag: ronaldo

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WC for Portugal was most ambitious dream of my career’

FIFA World Cup: WC dream was beautiful while it lasted, says Ronaldo on Portugal's exi. (Credit : twitter)

“I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream,” said Ronaldo, who is currently without a club after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent in November…reports Asian Lite News

Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared to acknowledge that his dream of winning the World Cup with Portugal is over after the team’s elimination from football’s showpiece tournament in Qatar.

Portugal were denied a berth in the semifinals after they suffered a 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Morocco in Doha on Saturday.

“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career,” Ronaldo said in an Instagram post on Sunday. “Fortunately, I won many titles of international dimension, including for Portugal, but putting the name of our country on the highest level in the world was my biggest dream.”

Ronaldo started on the bench for the second consecutive match at Al Thumama stadium after scoring just once — a penalty against Ghana — in four outings at this World Cup.

The defeat to Morocco was almost certainly the 37-year-old’s last appearance in football’s showpiece tournament. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star cut a distraught figure as he walked off the pitch in tears immediately after the final whistle.

Ronaldo, who has been capped 195 times and scored a record 118 goals for his country, will be 41 when the next World Cup begins in the United States, Canada and Mexico, reports Xinhua.

“I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream,” said Ronaldo, who is currently without a club after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent in November.

“I’ve scored in five World Cups over 16 years, always alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese people, I gave my all. I left everything on the pitch. I never turned my back on the fight and I never gave up on that dream.

“Unfortunately, yesterday the dream ended. 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 not 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, I hope that time can offer the best advice and allow everyone to draw their own conclusions.”

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Sport

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United part ways

With Ronaldo preparing for Portugal’s opening match on Thursday, Manchester United on Tuesday announced their split with a terse statement on its various social media channels…reports Asian Lite News

Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United have decided to end their acrimonious relationship that saw the Portuguese star make disparaging remarks against the club in an explosive TV interview just before he left to represent Portugal in the World Cup in Qatar.

With Ronaldo preparing for Portugal’s opening match on Thursday, Manchester United on Tuesday announced their split with a terse statement on its various social media channels.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” the club said in its statement on Tuesday.

“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future,” it added in the statement.

Ronaldo had launched an explosive attack on Manchester United and coach Erik ten Hag in an interview with Piers Morgan for the treatment meted out to him since he returned at the start of this season.

In the interview, Ronaldo said he feels “betrayed” by the club for trying to force him out of the team. In his interview, the Portuguese star also said that he has “no respect” for United manager Erik ten Hag because he “doesn’t show respect for me”.

Ronaldo, who re-joined United in August 2021 and finished as their top scorer in all competitions last season with 24 goals, said, “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”

Soon after the full interview was aired, Manchester United said it has “initiated appropriate steps” in response to the interview.

Now that the two parties have decided on an amicable divorce, the club said it would move on and concentrate on preparing for the restart of the season after the World Cup break.

“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch,” Man United said.

Ronaldo has reportedly recovered from an injury and is hopeful of starting Portugal’s first match against Ghana on Thursday.

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Sport Sports

Messi, Ronaldo first-ever joint ad pic break internet

Messi, Ronaldo

While some social media users called it “iconic”, others hailed it as the “picture of the century”…reports Asian Lite News

Considered to be two of the greatest players of this generation Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi joined forces to produce one of the most iconic images in football history.

The image was shared by both the footballers on the eve of the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, through their Instagram accounts.

While some social media users called it “iconic”, others hailed it as the “picture of the century”.

With both of them sharing 12 Ballon d’Or’s between them, Ronaldo and Messi came together for a promotion campaign by Louis Vuitton ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Many view the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be the final one for both players with the Argentinian great already confirming it. However, the Portuguese star has said he wants to play for a few more years.

On Saturday, the fans of both players were in for a treat as Louis Vuitton released their new campaign featuring both of them. The two legendary footballers can be seen playing chess together in the picture with both deep in concentration on what their next move would be.

The Louis Vuitton briefcase on which Ronaldo and Messi are playing chess was part of the 2018 World Cup in which the FIFA World Cup trophy was presented ahead of the opening fixture and the final.

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Europe Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo’s new born baby dies

“It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away,” Ronaldo wrote on social media on Monday…reports Asian Lite News

The Manchester United star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo took to social media to share a sad news about the tragic death of his baby boy after long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez gave birth to a boy and a girl.

Ronaldo was expecting twins with partner Georgina Rodriguez, but revealed on Monday that while she had given birth to a girl, their son had died. Ronaldo has asked for privacy after the Manchester United forward announced the death of his newborn son.

“It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away,” Ronaldo wrote on social media on Monday.

The striker wrote on Instagram, “It is the greatest pain that any parent can feel. Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness. We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support. We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time,” he said.

“Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.”

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Sports

Ronaldo reaches 5th FIFA World Cup as Portugal beat North Macedonia

North Macedonia rarely troubled Diogo Costa in the Portuguese goal in the first period but started brightly after the interval…reports Asian Lite News

Bruno Fernandes scored a goal in each half as Portugal secured a 2-0 victory over North Macedonia on Tuesday to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

Portugal’s star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo took to Instagram to celebrate as he helped his team advance to the World Cup for the fifth time in his career.

Ronaldo has played in every World Cup since 2006 and the Manchester United star ensured that streak would continue as he helped Portugal top North Macedonia 2-0.

“Goal accomplished. We made it to the World Cup in Qatar. We are where we deserve to be,” Ronaldo said on Instagram after the match.

Macedonia were unable to replicate their shock win over European champions Italy but gave a good account of themselves throughout the 90 minutes. However, they did not manage to pull off another shock against a European giant.

North Macedonia rarely troubled Diogo Costa in the Portuguese goal in the first period but started brightly after the interval.

Portugal have started to find their rhythm and Bernardo Silva and Joao Moutinho are playing their part, building things from deep. Without the ball they’re pressing high, forcing North Macedonia to go long and lose the ball.

Portugal took the lead after 22 minutes when Fernandes intercepted a poor pass in midfield and exchanged passes with Ronaldo before producing a fine finish into the corner. The hosts doubled their lead in the second half when Fernandes got on the end of a fine counter attack to convert from close range.

“This win will remain in a special place for me because we have achieved our aim,” Fernandes said. “That was the most important thing. I think Portugal played better. We’ve had better performances, but this is one of the highlights because it guarantees access to the World Cup,” he said.

Portugal, who won the 2016 European Championship in France, qualified for a sixth straight World Cup finals and have not missed a major international competition in the last 20 years.

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Dubai EXPO 2020 UAE News

Ronaldo visits Expo 2020 Dubai

Ronaldo visits Expo 2020 Dubai (WAM)

Man Utd ace Cristiano Ronaldo Friday swapped the football pitch with Al Wasl Plaza, where he engaged in a Q&A session amid cheers of his huge Dubai fan base at Expo 2020 Dubai…reports Asian Lite News

The Portugal international spoke about his passion and journey that saw him become one of the world’s top footballers.

He was all praise for Dubai, saying, “Dubai always brings something to the table, unique and different.”

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The 36-year-old was greeted by hundreds of supporters who had turned out in their droves to catch a glimpse of the superstar at the ceremony.

Ronaldo is reportedly spending the international break in Dubai with his family. (WAM)