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Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup exit interview might change your opinion of him

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Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo has come up short once again at the World Cup
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo has come up short once again at the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo’s gracious post-match interview after Portugal’s World Cup exit might win him a few more fans.

Ronaldo and Portugal were dumped out of the tournament by Uruguay last night, with Edinson Cavani’s brace helping the South Americans progress to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory.

And Ronaldo was clearly agitated on the pitch as the clock ticked down, earning a booking for dissent when a free-kick was not given.

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But after the game, Ronaldo was quick to pay tribute to Uruguay, Russia and his team-mates, insisting they will leave the country with their ‘heads held high.’

Cristiano Ronaldo screams in the face of Cesar Arturo Ramos as the clock ticks down
Cristiano Ronaldo screams in the face of Cesar Arturo Ramos as the clock ticks down
But he also helped an injured Edinson Cavani off the pitch, showing his sportsmanship
But he also helped an injured Edinson Cavani off the pitch, showing his sportsmanship

This came after he helped an injured Cavani off the pitch earlier on in the game and the whole episode was a marked difference to his reaction after the Champions League final, when his comments about his future took some of the gloss of Gareth Bale’s match-winning display.

“We must congratulate Uruguay because they are the national team that are in the quarter-finals,” Ronaldo said

SLIDESHOW: The stadiums of the Russian World Cup (Click image below)

“I think we played a good game and maybe we deserved more, but in football the ones that score the most goals win and they scored two, so congratulations.

“We leave with our heads held high. As the captain of Portugal I know how hard we have worked and we must be proud of the team.

Portugal’s come to terms with their round of 16 exit, just two years after they were crowned champions of Europe
Portugal’s come to terms with their round of 16 exit, just two years after they were crowned champions of Europe

“And I also want to congratulate the organisation of this World Cup, it has been fantastic in every way; the organisation, the security, the atmosphere is perfect and it must be said.

“We go with our heads held high and we are sure that this team will continue to win things.”

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At 33, there is no guarantee that Ronaldo will still be playing for his country when the 2022 World Cup in Qatar comes around.

But he was not keen to talk about the future last night. “It’s not the time to talk about the future, when it comes to the players and coach,” he added.

“This team will continue to be one of the best in the world, with quality players, a young group, united. I am confident and happy because this team will always fight with all their strength.”