‘World’s best player’ Cristiano Ronaldo says his World Cup career is over but Portugal decision can wait

“I’ve won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title,” he said.

“The biggest title the national team has ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is just as significant to me as a World Cup.”

Portugal’s exit also came with Roberto Martinez’s departure as manager, and Ronaldo offered warm words for the Spaniard.

“I loved working with him,” he said. “A great manager, a great human being, and what he’s done for Portugal is to be commended. I want to thank him and wish him every happiness…

“It’s always sad to be knocked out of a major tournament. It’s a World Cup. The team was really coming into its own. We played well, in my view. It could have gone either way, but that’s football.

We have to pick ourselves up and carry on.

“It’s frustrating to go out like this, but we can hold our heads high,” added the Al-Nassr forward.