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The Portugal superstar has explained the reason he broke down in tears after missing a penalty at Euro 2024.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed what was going through his mind when he broke down in tears after missing a penalty during the Euro 2024.
Ronaldo’s Portugal faced Slovenia in the Round of 16 and despite a barrage of attacks from the 2016 European champions, they could not find a way past their opponents.
Portugal then had a chance to win the game in the second half when they won a penalty but Ronaldo’s spot kick was saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak, forcing the game into extra time.
An emotional Ronaldo broke down in tears after the missed penalty and it was interpreted to mean he felt he has let down his country in what was probably his final Euro tournament.
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Portugal would later win on post-match penalties, Ronaldo among the scores this time, before France eliminated them in the quarter-final but the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend says what saddened him in that moment was seeing the disappointment in the faces of his family and fans.
“When you have passion for what you are doing, you cannot be worried about your feelings. I cried the day that I missed the penalty and I believe [Jan] Oblak made a fantastic save,” Ronaldo told Rio Ferdinand during a discussion on the Portugal captain’s YouTube channel.
“When I cried, it is not because I felt if I don’t score that penalty and Portugal is eliminated the world would collapse on me, not because of that.
“In the last 27 penalties you score and you miss in that period, you feel bad for yourself. The people who come to the stadium, your kids, your mum, your girlfriend everyone, I felt sad because of that.”
Ronaldo said he does not feel pressure of wanting to deliver for his teams and rather pits pressure on himself to excel and will not be changing his approach.
“Since I was 11, I always put pressure on myself saying I am the best player in the world and I am always putting pressure on myself, you have the good side when things go good and when it goes wrong, you feel that too because I am putting that pressure to myself,” he added.
“I know how to deal with that but when I missed the penalty I felt bad for myself, family and fans. When I saw my mum in the crowd, I felt emotional, and I cannot hide these things no matter what people say.
“It is much easier to criticise than to appreciate. We know how the press works, if you speak good, it won’t sell you have to speak bad.
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“It is normal and if you speak about Cristiano, it is coming in the first page because I am the most followed guy in the world, not only because of my pretty face but in everything.”
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