At one point, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be close to tears. However, suddenly, he crossed that edge. The floodgates were now open, and he was openly crying. In Frankfurt and in front of a massive global audience, the world’s most famous athlete was shedding tears.
Yet, there was still a game to win, a spot in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals to secure.
His emotional outburst was shocking to witness. The Portugal captain had a challenging evening, still chasing his first goal of the tournament. When given the opportunity to break Slovenia’s defense with a penalty, he watched as the goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, saved it. The pressure and frustration that had been building inside him erupted.
Ronaldo had missed penalties in the past, sometimes in high-pressure situations. He had shed tears on the field before, be it out of sorrow or joy. But this time was different because the game wasn’t over. At 39 years old, in what he acknowledges will be his final European Championship, it seemed that he was crying not for a lost match but for the decline of his abilities, akin to a movie star facing the end of his career.
He appeared vulnerable, fallible, human. During halftime in extra time, as Portugal’s players gathered, they saw a man who seemed broken. One by one, his teammates tried to lift him up. Former Manchester United colleagues Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot reached out, reminding him of who he was, who he still is. Joao Palhinha and Ruben Dias also offered their support.
A tearful Ronaldo is consoled by Dalot at half-time of extra time (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
It was surprising that Portugal coach Roberto Martinez kept him on the field in such circumstances. Ronaldo seemed defeated. He barely had any involvement for the remainder of extra time, as Slovenia started to pose more of a threat.
The match went to a penalty shootout. The thought of Ronaldo missing another penalty lingered.
But he didn’t. This time, he confidently struck the ball to the other side, Oblak’s right, and showed immense relief when the net bulged. It took courage, yet his reaction lacked any arrogance. Instead, he acknowledged the Portugal supporters with folded hands in apology.
Within minutes, Portugal’s players and fans were celebrating victory. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa became the hero, saving all three of Slovenia’s kicks, while Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva converted theirs. Costa’s performance was exceptional, including a crucial save on Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko in extra time. Overwhelmed with relief, Ronaldo embraced and thanked him.
“There was sadness at first — and joy in the end,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner shared with Portuguese TV station RTP. “That’s what football brings: inexplicable moments from the eighth minute to the 80th. Did I have the opportunity to give the team the lead? I couldn’t do it.”
Ronaldo apologetically celebrates scoring in the shootout (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
He mentioned his perfect penalty record throughout the season — “I didn’t fail once.” However, deep down, he is aware that more than his penalty-taking is under scrutiny at Euro 2024. Excluding the shootout, he has yet to score in his four matches. Apart from a penalty against Ghana in the 2022 World Cup opener, he has gone eight matches without a major tournament goal.
Ronaldo netted 50 goals in 51 appearances for Al Nassr last season. He scored 10 goals in nine Euro 2024 qualifiers, but half came against weaker opponents. He holds the record for international goals in men’s football, with an impressive 130 goals in 211 caps — most of them against lower-ranked teams. Despite numerous shot attempts in the tournament, far more than any other player, many promising chances have gone amiss due to his self-indulgence.
Moreover, he’s unable to take some shots due to his diminished physical abilities. A moment in the first half involving Bernardo Silva’s cross highlighted this, as Ronaldo couldn’t reach the ball, a scenario he might have capitalized on in his prime.
His prime was long ago, even winning his last Ballon d’Or in 2017 at 32. He has evolved into a more economical player compared to his dominant years.
Ronaldo beats Jan Oblak from the spot in the shootout (Harriet Lander – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Some may argue that this tournament is beyond his capabilities, much like the World Cup in Qatar. It feels like two tournaments too many, where Ronaldo could be better utilized as an option rather than the focal point.
Surprisingly, Ronaldo referred to this as his final European Championship, but with no emotional attachment. Instead, he expressed enthusiasm for the game, his supporters, family, and making people happy.
However, his reaction to the missed penalty suggested a different story. His legacy may be secured, but the pressure to prove himself persists.
Renato’s emotions post-match were moving, as Martinez commended his exemplary reaction after the penalty miss. But the coach faces a dilemma ahead of Portugal’s quarter-final against France in Hamburg.
Throughout the years, Ronaldo has often been the one to revive a team in dire straits. Yet, on Monday night, he seemed defeated by time, a challenge that catches up to all athletes eventually.
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(Top photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)