Cristiano Ronaldo says his dream of winning World Cup has ''ended''
Doha, Dec 11: Cristiano Ronaldo said in a cryptic social media post that his dream of winning the World Cup with Portugal has ended, while stopping short of announcing his retirement from international duty.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo left the field in tears after Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
In his first comments after the elimination, Ronaldo said Sunday that it was "time to take stock" without saying explicitly if he wants to carry on being available for Portugal after 19 years in the national team.
"There's no point in reacting rashly," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. "I just want everybody to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated about, but my dedication to Portugal has never wavered for an instant.
"I've always been just one more (Portuguese) fighting for everyone's goal. I would never turn my back on my teammates or my country."
Ronaldo, who is the all-time leading scorer in men's international soccer with 118 goals, said putting Portugal "on the highest level in the world" was his biggest dream.
"In my five appearances at World Cups over 16 years, always playing alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I have given my all," he wrote. "I left everything I had on the pitch. I'll never shrink from a battle and I have never given up on that dream.
"Unfortunately, that dream ended yesterday."
Ronaldo said he would now "let everyone draw their own conclusions."
"For now. There's not much else to say. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful as long as it lasted."
The next major tournament is the European Championship in 2024. The next World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, by which time Ronaldo will be 41 years old.
Ronaldo is without a club after leaving Manchester United during the World Cup in the wake of an explosive interview before the tournament when he criticized the manager, board and his teammates at the English club.
His only goal at the World Cup was a penalty against Ghana in Portugal's opening group game. He became the first male player to score at five World Cups.
Ronaldo started on the bench for Portugal's games in the last 16 a 6-1 victory over Switzerland and the quarterfinals.
Before the game against Morocco, Portugal coach Fernando Santos denied reports Ronaldo threatened to leave the World Cup after being told he wasn't going to be in the starting lineup against Switzerland.
View this post on Instagram
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Domestic help held for stealing employer's silver worth Rs 35 lakh in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A domestic worker has been arrested for allegedly stealing 12.5 kg of silver articles worth around Rs 35 lakh from the house of her employer here, police said on Friday.
Chaitra has been arrested by the Jeevan Bima Nagar Police Station.
She had been working for the past two-and-a-half years at the residence of a surgeon attached to a reputed hospital in the city, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh told reporters.
According to him, the woman is a native of Davangere and allegedly stole silver utensils and Pooja articles from the house in phases.
“The family had stored about 12.5 kg of silver utensils on the upper floor, which were meant to be used only during festivals."
“She allegedly took one item at a time, pledged it to raise money and spent the amount. To avoid suspicion, she continued to work in the same house,” they added.
A few days before Deepavali, the accused reportedly quit her job.
“When the family opened the bag containing the silver utensils as part of festival preparations, they found the items missing and approached the police,” the Commissioner said.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered and an investigation was launched.
“We questioned former employees and during Chaitra’s interrogation, the theft came to light. We have recovered 12.5 kg of silver articles worth approximately Rs 35 lakh from her possession,” he stated.
A case has been registered and further investigation is in progress.
According to police sources, she cited the need for money for her husband’s cancer treatment, police sources said.
