Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said his tears after missing a penalty against Slovenia at Uefa Euro 2024 were more a result of “everything to do with football” than the end of his career at the finals.
Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak commented on Ronaldo’s penalty against the post in the first half of extra time in Frankfurt, where the forward scored his side’s first goal in a 3-0 win after a 0-0 draw in the round of 16.
“This is without a doubt my last European tournament,” Ronaldo said, crying on the pitch during the extra-time break.
“But I’m not sad about that, I’m sad about everything that affects football – because of the enthusiasm I have for this game, the enthusiasm to see my fans, my family, the love people have for me.
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“It is not a matter of giving up football because if I give up what else will I need to do or win? It won’t be about getting one more point or one less point. Making people happy is what motivates me the most.”
Portugal vs Slovenia: Ronaldo ‘joy’
Ronaldo is yet to find the back of the net in a major tournament since beating Ghana during the group stage of the FIFA World Cup in November 2022.
The 39-year-old missed his first penalty in 25 attempts as Portugal scored 72% and 20 of 30 attempts on goal, although they survived a major scare when Benjamin Sesko failed to score when he found himself on top. second half of overtime.
Cristiano Ronaldo is crying tears 😢#BBEuros #Euro2024 #PORSVN pic.twitter.com/632i0tRRFU
-BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 1, 2024
“It was the first sadness and the last joy,” Ronaldo told SportTV. “That’s what football brings. Unspeakable moments… that’s what happened today.
“I got a chance to give the national team a chance. I didn’t manage it, I have to update it. I don’t know if I shot right or wrong.
“I didn’t miss once during the year and, when they needed it the most, Oblak saved. [There were] feelings of happiness and sadness. The most important thing is to enjoy this verse. Portugal deserved it, because we had a lot of chances and Slovenia spent the whole game defending. “
Euro 2024: Portugal vs France
The Selecao will face France in Hamburg in the quarter-final on Friday (20:00 BST) in a rematch of the 2016 final, which Portugal won 1-0.
France cruised past Belgium 1-0 earlier on Monday and are yet to score in open play in the final, the win being Les Bleus’ second goal-scoring victory.
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