TheCable

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Morocco in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Portugal captain came on as a substitute early in the second half but could not prevent Morocco from making history as the first African nation to qualify for the semi-final stage of the World Cup.

Ronaldo, currently without a club following his contract termination by Manchester United, was captured in tears as he made his way down the tunnel into the dressing room for what could be his last outing at the World Cup and possibly for Portugal.

Even as a Messi fan this video of Ronaldo crying breaks my heart.
Truly The End #CR7𓃵
Congratulations Africa and the Arab community.
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Up Morocco, Piers Morgan, Ororo, Bruno Fernandes, Peter Drury, My GOAT, Ziyech, pic.twitter.com/uyhn7xNRa2

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— SIR LAW THE GAME CHANGER PhD (@OfficialSirLaw) December 10, 2022

Following Morocco’s historic win, congratulations have been flooding in from all corners, with Atiku Abubakar, former Nigerian vice-president; Elon Musk, Twitter CEO, among prominent figures joining in celebrations.

“Congrats Morocco,” Musk wrote on Twitter.

🇲🇦🇲🇦 Congrats Morocco!! 🇲🇦🇲🇦

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 10, 2022

Wyclef Jean, Haiti-born Grammy award-winning musician, also sent a congratulatory message to Morocco.

“Well done Morocco. Africa stand up – first African Team ever to World Cup semis – what an incredible ride – keep it up gentlemen,” Wyclef wrote.

أحسنت يا المغرب well done Morocco 🇲🇦 Africa stand up – first African Team ever to World Cup semis – what an incredible ride – keep it up gentlemen #FIFAWorlCup2023 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/WVcwzgkrbu

— Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) December 10, 2022

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African football legends were not left out in the tributes to Morocco, with the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Sunday Oliseh, and Lauren Etame-Meyer among others sending their congratulatory messages.

“Incredible! Morocco is the first ever African country to make it to the semi finals. The entire continent is rooting for you,” Eto’o wrote.

Incredible! Morocco is the first ever African country to make it to the semi finals. The entire continent is rooting for you 👏🏿 pic.twitter.com/TtUZZrl3jr

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— Samuel Eto'o (@SamuelEtoo) December 10, 2022

“After 48 years of trying Morocco has made Africa into world superpower status in football. Ecstatic & privileged to be here at Al Thumama Stadium to witness Morocco do it. Wifey jokingly predicted this when she came to Qatar! Guess our wives are always right after all,” Oliseh wrote.

After 48 years of trying Morocco has made Africa into world superpower status in football. Ecstatic & privileged to be here at Al Thumama Stadium to witness Morocco do it. Wifey jokingly predicted this when she came to Qatar! Guess our wives are always right after all. pic.twitter.com/hdPnGW1GbM

— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) December 10, 2022

Etame-Meyer added: “A great achievement for African football! For the first time, we’ll have a representative in the World Cup semi-finals. We keep on growing. Congrats, Morocco! #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022”.

A great achievement for African football! For the first time, we'll have a representative in the World Cup semi-finals. We keep on growing. Congrats, Morocco! #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/vQS4CCZXiR

— Lauren Etame Mayer (@Lauren12arsenal) December 10, 2022

Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), also congratulated the Atlas Lions while also celebrating Africa.

“Congratulations, Morocco. This one is for Africa!!! -AA #MARPOR”

Congratulations, Morocco. This one is for Africa!!! 👏👏 -AA #MARPOR pic.twitter.com/6vvpD5nPZH

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) December 10, 2022

Raila Odinga, who served as the prime minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013, wrote: “Simply Fantastic!!! History’s been written by the Atlas Lions of Morocco, our continent’s first-ever team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. That was an excellent show by them of technical football and skills,” ODM leader Raila Odinga said in a tweet.

Simply Fantastic!!! History's been written by the Atlas Lions of Morocco, our continent's first-ever team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

That was an excellent show by them of technical football and skills.

Félicitations le Maroc. تهانينا pic.twitter.com/ctgRnVODQR

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) December 10, 2022

“This time for Africa!!” musician Shakira wrote.

This time for Africa!! 👏🇲🇦 #WorldCup

— Shakira (@shakira) December 10, 2022