Ronaldo would have played his last World Cup 1:38
(CNN) --
A day after tearfully leaving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after seeing his chances of winning the tournament cut short for the first time in his career, Portuguese superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo said bringing a world title to Portugal was "the biggest and most ambitious dream" of his career, but that "the dream was beautiful while it lasted.
Portugal was surprised this Saturday by Morocco (1-0) in the quarterfinals.
"Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
"Fortunately, I won many titles of international dimension, including with Portugal, but putting the name of our country at the top of the world was my biggest dream.
"I fought for it. I fought hard for that dream. In the 5 times that I was present at World Cups over the course of 16 years, always alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave it my all. I left everything on the field I never walked away from the fight and I never gave up on that dream."
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It is likely to be the 37-year-old's last World Cup appearance.
He started Portugal's round of 16 and quarterfinal matches as a substitute, after coach Fernando Santos left him on the bench.
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the bench for two consecutive games.
(Credit: Jose Sena Goulao/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
Ronaldo continued: "Unfortunately, that dream came to an end yesterday. There's no point in reacting hotly. I just want everyone to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal hasn't changed or changed. One second. I was always one (person) fighting for everyone's goal and I would never turn my back on my teammates and my country."
Brazilian soccer great Pele and Ronaldo's two sisters were some of the many who commented on her post.
Pelé wrote: "Thanks for making us smile, friend."
Ronaldo's sister, Elma Aveiro, said: "Absolutely my love, you gave your heart to Portugal."
His other sister, Katia Aveiro, added a word: "Proud!"
In his 22 World Cup appearances, Ronaldo has scored eight goals, and earlier this year became the first man to score in five World Cups.
However, his substitution on the bench for Santos and his recent contract termination with Manchester United, announced just after the start of the World Cup, arguably overshadowed Ronaldo's time at Qatar 2022, a tournament in which he only scored one goal.
"For now, there is not much more to say," he added.
"Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful while it lasted... Now, we wait for what time will tell and we will let everyone draw their own conclusions."
CNN's Mia Alberti, Vasco Cotovio and Ben Morse contributed to this article.
Cristiano RonaldoWorld CupPortugal