In addition to revealing a big retirement hint, Cristiano Ronaldo has shared the reason behind his emotional response after Portugal missed a penalty during Euro 2024.
GettyWHAT HAPPENED?Having failed to find the target during the group stage, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was determined to make a decisive contribution in a last-16 showdown with Slovenia. He fired in several free-kicks, while coming close to meeting a number of crosses, but was given his big moment in extra-time when stepping up to the spot. CR7 saw his effort beaten away by Jan Oblak, leaving the Portuguese superstar in tears.
After converting his penalty in a shootout that Portugal won 3-0 courtesy of three saves from Diogo Costa, Ronaldo told Teledeporte of emotion getting the better of him: “Initial sadness and joy at the end, that’s what football gives you. These are inexplicable moments. I had the chance to put the national team ahead and I didn’t manage it. Oblak made a good save. I had to review the penalty, I don’t know if I shot well or badly, but during the year I didn’t miss a single time and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it. The most important thing is to enjoy qualifying, the team did an extraordinary job, we fought until the end and if you analyse the match well, Portugal deserved it because they had more chances.”
Ronaldo, who is competing at his 11th major international tournament, went on to admit that this summer’s European Championship will be his last. He added, with it impossible for the evergreen frontman to go on forever: “It’s certainly my last Euro. But I’m not moved by that, I’m moved by everything that football entails. The enthusiasm I have for the game, the excitement of seeing my fans, and my family, the affection that people have for me. It’s not because I’m leaving football, because if I do, what else is there for me to do or win? It’s not going to come down to one more point or one less point. Making people happy is what motivates me the most.”
Ronaldo hit 50 goals for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in the 2023-24 campaign, with there no sign of him slowing down at club level. There has also been talk of him playing through to the 2026 World Cup, which suggests that retirement remains some way off for now.
