As teammates rushed to comfort their captain, the 39-year-old lowered his head and started crying. Later, he informed Portuguese media that this was his final Euros. Slovenia was threatening to cause one of the biggest upsets in Euro history.
A spectacular career in the European Championship seems destined to end cruelly.
Ronaldo’s penalty was saved in extra time to keep the last-16 match goalless, but he returned to the same place fifteen minutes later to score his nation’s first shootout goal.
Then, with three saves in the penalty shootout, goalie Diogo Costa created history at the Euros as Portugal prevailed.
Ronaldo shed some more tears, but these were tears of pure relief and delight.
“Even the most resilient individuals experience [bad] days. When the team needed me the most, I was at my lowest point,” declared Ronaldo after the game, only to start crying once more.
“Happy at the end, sad at the beginning.” It’s the nature of football. Moments, mysterious moments. I’m both depressed and joyful at the same moment.
Nonetheless, having fun is what matters most. The group performed quite well. We battled till the very end, and since we were in a stronger position, I believe we deserved it.
