Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has said his tears after missing a penalty against Slovenia at Uefa Euro 2024 were a result of “everything football involves” rather than the end of his career at the finals.
Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak brilliantly tipped Ronaldo’s penalty against a post during the first half of extra time in Frankfurt, where the striker scored his team’s first spot kick in a 3-0 shootout win after a 0-0 draw in the round of 16.
“This is without a doubt my last European Championship,” Ronaldo said, having sobbed on the pitch at half-time of extra time.
“But I don’t get emotional about that, I get emotional about everything that football involves – because of the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm of seeing my supporters, my family, the affection that people have for me.
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“It’s not about leaving football because if I do, what else would 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 has not netted at a major tournament since a goal against 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 had 72% of possession and 20 of the 30 efforts at goal, although they survived a huge scare when Benjamin Sesko failed to score from a one-on-one opportunity during the second half of extra time.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in tears 😢#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #PORSVN pic.twitter.com/632i0tRRFU
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 1, 2024
“It was initial sadness and final joy,” Ronaldo told SportTV. “That’s what football brings. Inexplicable moments… that’s what happened today.
“I had the opportunity to give the national team an advantage. I didn’t manage it, I have to review it. I don’t know if I shot well or badly.
“I didn’t miss once during the year and, when they needed it most, Oblak saved. [There were] feelings of joy and sadness. The most important thing is to enjoy the passage. Portugal deserved it, because we had more opportunities and Slovenia spent the whole game defending.”
Euro 2024: Portugal vs France
The Selecao will take on France in Hamburg in the quarter-finals on Friday (20:00 BST) in a rematch of the 2016 final, which Portugal won 1-0.
France edged past Belgium 1-0 earlier on Monday and are yet to score a goal from open play at the finals, with the victory becoming the second time Les Bleus have won courtesy of an own goal.
