Cristiano Ronaldo plunged into despair, vocalizing his distress after botching a penalty during a nail-biter against Slovenia. He described hitting an “all-time low” during a moment when his team leaned heavily on his skills.
In an anticipated quarter-final clash at Euro 2024, Ronaldo’s emotions ran high when Jan Oblak parried his penalty in extra time. Despite the setback, the master forward redeemed himself in the penalty shootout, confidently converting Portugal’s initial shot.
Amid a tense extra half-hour, Ronaldo couldn’t hold back tears, yet he showcased resilience when it counted most. Portugal later hailed Diogo Costa as a savior, renowned for being the inaugural goalkeeper to thwart three penalties in a Euro Championship shootout with zero concessions.
Post-match, while performing media obligations, Ronaldo was visibly emotional again. “Even the sturdiest have their shaky moments,” Ronaldo confessed to BBC Sport. He reiterated, “Starting with sorrow and ending in jubilation, that’s the essence of football.”
With palpable sincerity, he added, “It’s crucial to revel in these moments. The squad performed spectacularly.” He conveyed his belief in their deserving victory after a staunch battle.
Despite being the Euros’ ultimate scorer and most frequent player, Ronaldo has executed 20 attempts at this year’s tournament in Germany, yet the net remains elusive. Costa, the goaltender, praised him, noting Ronaldo’s relentless dedication to the sport. “Sharing the field with him is both a pleasure and a privilege,” Costa remarked.
He continued to express his commitment to seizing opportunities sent his way, emphasizing, “We operate like a true family here.”
Looking ahead, Portugal is set to lock horns with the powerhouse French team in what promises to be a gripping quarter-final.
