The Atlas Lions, who beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2022 the weekend, saw their inspirational campaign come to an end on Wednesday evening, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against France.
Dietmar Hamann launched a scathing attack on Cristiano Ronaldo – who returned to training at Real Madrid – suggesting he wasn’t as ‘graceful in defeat’ compared to the Moroccan national team.
The Atlas Lions, who had beaten Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2022 this weekend saw their inspirational campaign come to an end tonight, succumbing to a 2-0 loss to France.
Hamann (pictured) claimed Morocco showed more dignity in the loss to France than Ronaldo
Didi Hamann slammed Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) after Portugal’s World Cup exit
It was a heartbreak for the underdogs, who fell to their knees at the final whistle, distraught at not making it to the final, but according to Hamann showed more dignity than Ronaldo, to stay on the pitch and congratulate Les Bleus on their victory.
‘I think they [Morocco] brought the human side back to this World Cup,” the former German midfielder told RTE.
“You talk about these superstars, top players, top earners – and if you think one of the greatest players who left the scene a week ago, [Cristiano] Ronaldo couldn’t even congratulate them at the end of the match…
Hamann (pictured) claimed Morocco showed more dignity in the loss to France than Ronaldo
It was heartbreak for Morocco who saw their World Cup campaign cut short by France tonight
Despite losing 2-0 to Les Bleus, the Atlas Lions remained on the pitch to congratulate the French
“They won this match and did something historic and he didn’t even have the dignity to congratulate them for what they achieved,” he added, praising Walid Regragui .
“And now you watch them; how they shake hands with the French. The dignity and kindness they show in defeat – brilliant.
After the Atlas Lions ended Portugal’s World Cup run, the ax-wielding Manchester United star headed straight for the tunnel in tears, visibly upset by his side’s early exit from the tournament.
Ronaldo (R) left the pitch in tears after Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final exit
This will likely be the 37-year-old’s last World Cup, with the next tournament in 2026
Although this is likely to be the 37-year-old’s last World Cup, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to continue playing for his country, with Ronaldo keen to lead his side to Euro 2024.
“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career,” Ronaldo said online, following Portugal’s World Cup exit.
“Fortunately, I have won many titles with an international dimension, including for Portugal, but to put the name of our country at the highest level in the world was my biggest dream.
‘I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream. In the 5 matches I scored in the World Cup in 16 years, always alongside great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave it my all.
“I left everything on the pitch. I never turned my face to fighting and I never gave up on that dream.
“Unfortunately, yesterday the dream ended. It is not worth reacting to the heat.
Morocco, meanwhile, unfortunately also failed to qualify for the tournament final, after pushing the Blues to the limit in an electric performance at Al Bayt Stadium.
And despite losing 2-0, thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani, Morocco won the hearts of many fans at this tournament as an underdog, who showed spirit and drive to qualify for the last four.