Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the ground in tears after suffering defeat against Morocco in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, has thanked his country and Qatar for the support as he could not achieve the “biggest dream” of his career.

“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career. Fortunately I won many titles of international dimension, including Portugal, but putting our country’s name on the highest foot in the World was my biggest dream,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Morocco earned a shock 1-0 quarter-final victory over Portugal, the north Africans’ joy the stark opposite of Ronaldo’s misery. The Portuguese forward, 37, may never have another chance to win the game’s biggest trophy, and his World Cup exit was especially bitter as he started the game as a substitute.

Ronaldo, who has played five World Cups, was dejected when the final whistle blew. The lead striker entered the play in the second half of the game when the Atlas Lions got the lead and they just defended it and stop Ronaldo from netting the ball to the goalpost.

And, the north African nation was successful in doing it as they did not give any chance to keep the former Manchester United striker open. He got one chance to kick the ball but the Moroccon goalkeeper was best in blocking every Portuguese attempt.

“I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream. In the 5 appearances I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always by the side of great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave my all. Leave it all out on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream,” the Facebook post said.

“Sadly yesterday the dream ended It’s not worth reacting to heat. I just want you all to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has not changed not for a moment. I was always one fighting for the objective of all and I would never turn my back on my colleagues and my country.

Not much more to say for now. Thank you Portugal. Thank you Qatar The dream was nice while it lasted… Now, it’s hoping that the weather will be good advisor and allow each one to draw their own conclusions,“ it added.