Tears turned into Cristiano Ronaldo’s triumph in Portugal’s round of 16 match against Slovenia in 2024.
After the soccer star, 39, missed a penalty in the 114th minute in a 0-0 tie, Ronaldo held his head in his hands and was emotional as his teammates comforted him.
The iconic striker — who is the all-time leading scorer in major competitions — has yet to find the back of the net in the tournament, and his frustration showed on his face during the game on Monday, July 1.
But Ronaldo later bounced back by scoring his team’s first penalty in the shootout. Portugal was also helped by goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who saved all three attempts by Slovenia.
Cristiano Ronaldo shares a photo with Georgina Rodríguez and their children as he celebrates Portugal’s Mother’s Day
After the match, the athlete elaborated on his emotions during the competition.
“Without a doubt this is the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” said Ronaldo, who now holds the record for most appearances at the tournament with six. “But I’m not emotional about it. I am touched by everything that football brings, the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, the fact that I have my family here, the passion of the people… this is not why I am leaving the world of football. What else can I do or win?”
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Ronaldo and Portugal won Euro 2016, were in the final in 2004 and the semi-final in 2012. Now the team is ready to continue its streak, advancing to the quarter-finals.
All this means that the legendary footballer is thinking about the past while still looking to the future.
“The most important thing about the journey I’ve been on is the enthusiasm I still have for being here,” he told reporters.
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo returns for Saturday’s game following the death of his newborn son
Ronaldo added: “20 years of representing and playing with the national team, bringing joy to people, my family, my children, that’s what motivates me the most.”
On Friday, July 5, Portugal will play France in second place in the FIFA rankings.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education