Ronaldo on Euros redemption trail after Slovenia penalty ride

• Published On: 02 July 2024 at 20:37

Cristiano Ronaldo has often been Portugal's saviour, so the prospect of becoming the villain moved him to tears.

The 39-year-old great was seen crying after missing a 105th-minute penalty in the Selecao's Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovenia on Monday.

Despite many attempts at goal and Jan Oblak saving his spot kick, Ronaldo was unable to penetrate Slovenia's strong defensive wall, and the match ended goalless after 120 minutes, forcing penalties.

Taking Portugal's first spot kick, the former Real Madrid striker found the net, and his team won 3-0 in penalties after Diogo Costa saved all three Slovenia attempts.

Ronaldo is now on a redemption mission, and his team will face France next in a rematch of the 2016 final, which Portugal won in Paris to claim their first European Championship.

Ronaldo was not the hero eight years ago, either, as he left early with an injury and the lesser-known Eder scored in extra time to beat Les Bleus.

The all-time men's record international striker with 130 strikes, who has yet to score in the Euros, has appeared frantic.

"I will always give my all for this shirt, whether I succeed or fail, and I will do so for the rest of my life," Ronaldo told Portuguese television channel RTP.

"I've been doing this for 20 years—as you can see, I missed the penalty, but I wanted to be the first to score.

"We need to take responsibility... You can't be frightened; I've never been afraid to tackle challenges full on; sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don't, but giving up is not something you'll ever hear associated with my name."

Ronaldo made his Euros debut in 2004 in his native country, but Portugal fell just short, losing in the final to unfancied Greece.

The attacker, who went on to play for Manchester United, Madrid, and Juventus, now represents Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

If he scores in the Euros, he will become the competition's oldest goalscorer – assuming his 41-year-old teammate Pepe does not score.

Ronaldo is competing in his sixth Euros and has 14 goals, considerably outscoring French great Michel Platini, who finished second with nine.

"It is undoubtedly the last Euros (for me), of course," Ronaldo stated.

"The most important thing about this career I have made is the enthusiasm that I have still to be here."

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez concurred, saying Ronaldo's tears showed how much this all meant to him.

"When you see a player, the only player to play in six Euros, with the desire and that belief (of a) young man, those emotions are incredible for someone who has won everything and experienced everything," remarked the head coach of Spain.

"He doesn't need to care so much, which is why I thank him..." I was certain he had to be the first taker (in the shootout) and lead us to victory.

"Everyone is incredibly proud of our skipper. He teaches us everyone to have very high standards and never give up.

Ronaldo took many free kicks that were either off target or saved by his former rival, Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak.

The striker has scored in every major event he has been in, but has gone goalless in eight Euros and World Cup games, taking 20 shots without success in Germany this summer.

Ronaldo hopes to make amends against France.

"We will now have a difficult game against France, who are the favourites to win the competition along with Germany and Spain, but let's go to war," he said.

"We will fight until the end."