- Ronaldo broke down after missing a penalty
- Fans mocked Portugal legend on social media
- Selecao set to face France in the quarter-final
WHAT HAPPENED?
The stage was set for the 39-year-old to score a record-breaking goal and guide his team to the quarter-final of Euro 2024 as Portugal earned a penalty towards the end of the first half of extra-time against Slovenia. Ronaldo, however, missed the opportunity to score in sixth straight European Championship as Jan Oblak parried away his spot-kick.
WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
The Al-Nassr could not hold back tears during the half-time hurdle as he was found weeping inconsolably near the dugout. Fans, however, mocked the legendary footballer as he produced yet another underwhelming performance in the ongoing Euros.
A handle named Ehix urged Ronaldo to retire as he wrote on X: “And he misses the penalty….. It’s time to call it a day, Ronaldo.”
Matthew Corke shared a funny GIF as he wrote in the caption: “Ronaldo missing a dodgy penalty.”
Another fan wrote: “Bruno’s one of the best penalty takers in the world Ronaldo had no business taking that but pride comes before the fall.”
Tommy found amusement in Ronaldo’s misery as he wrote: “I’m sorry but there is nothing funnier than Cristiano Ronaldo crying.”
A fan named Josh Boyes claimed Ronaldo is finished, as he wrote: “Ronaldo’s crying cos he knows he’s finished. Can’t do it anymore.”
Brian Gallagher questioned the decision to award Portugal the penalty as he posted: “Justice done with the save. Never in a million years was that a penalty. Still, it did bring us the sight of Ronaldo in tears, so swings and roundabouts.”
James Fisher posted: “Wtf is going on with Ronaldo, can’t be crying like that during the game!”
A handle named Pagan Min pointed out that the star player is now holding Portugal back as the post read: “Ronaldo is old now and he should realize that. He is holding his team back and whatever happens next in this match Ronaldo has to think the better of his team than just trying to score a goal. Portugal deserves better.”
A fan named Neil Gibbons accurately predicted that the ex-Manchester United would miss the penalty as he wrote: “Lovely to think there are millions of us watching this Portugal game united by nothing more than the hope that Ronaldo doesn’t score.”
Journalist Ross McCafferty took a dig at the Al-Nassr captain as he wrote: “I’ll tell you something that’s not so funny – right now Cristiano Ronaldo is sitting on the halfway line crying like a little girl!”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The former Manchester United attacker made amends for his miss when he finally found the back of the net during the penalty shootout as the Selecao picked up a 3-0 win in the tie-breaker to book a quarter-final berth. Earlier in the second half of extra time, Benjamin Sesko had a golden opportunity to finish off the game as he found himself one-on-one with Diogo Costa from a counter-attack, however, he failed to keep his cool and put the ball into the back of the net.
WHAT NEXT FOR PORTUGAL?
Ronaldo and Co will now meet Kylian Mbappe’s France in a blockbuster Euro 2024 quarter-final clash on Friday.