The 39-year-old bent his head and started crying as teammates rushed to comfort their captain, Slovenia, who was posing a danger to pull off one of the greatest upsets in Euro history. He later informed Portuguese media that this was his last Euros.
A remarkable European Championship career appeared to be on the verge of ending in the most heart-breaking fashion.
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.
After that, goalie Diego Costa created history at the Euros by saving three penalties in a shootout as Portugal overcame Slovenia to advance to a quarterfinal matchup with France.
Ronaldo shed tears again, but they were tears of sheer joy and relief this time.
"Even the most resilient individuals experience moments of struggle." "I was at my lowest point when the team needed me the most," Ronaldo said, his voice filled with emotion as tears rose in his eyes again.
"The initial sadness eventually transforms into ultimate joy." That's the essence of football these moments are truly indescribable. Experiencing a mix of emotions is quite common.
"However, the crucial aspect is to derive pleasure from it. The team performed exceptionally well. Our team displayed incredible resilience and determination, fighting until the very end. We deserved the victory due to our dominant performance.
Portugal's star player went through a rollercoaster of emotions during the intense 120-minute match.
Despite his ongoing goal drought at Euro 2024, he remained the center of attention during the match, visibly expressing his emotions and frustrations after failing to convert several opportunities.
The Portugal supporters, who had also sung his name after Oblak saved his penalty, had cheered upon his arrival.
Conversely, Slovenian fans expressed their disapproval, ignited flares, played drums, and cheered whenever his attempts failed to hit the mark.
With a staggering 20 shots on goal in the tournament, he has yet to find the net. In a rather unfortunate turn of events, he has failed to convert three out of his nine penalty kicks during significant tournaments.
"It's widely recognized that Cristiano is an incredibly dedicated and hardworking player," commented custodian Costa, who played a crucial role in the team's success that night.
"It's clear that his frustration stems from the immense amount of time and effort he puts into this." Being on his team is truly a pleasure and an honor.
"We have a strong sense of unity and connection within our group, which I genuinely believe." I am dedicated to maximizing these opportunities and my main goal is to contribute to the team's success. This holds immense significance.
"This game is exceptional, possibly the pinnacle of my athletic career."
In a display of mounting frustration, Ronaldo dropped to his knees, gazing skyward, desperately hoping for luck.
His frustration was palpable as he fiercely punched the ground in response to the crosses that sailed over his head. He was determined to make history as the oldest goal scorer at a European Championships, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit.
As each free-kick was taken, the frustration mounted as he managed to convert only one out of the 60 direct free-kicks he has attempted in major international tournaments.
Later, he passionately turned to supporters, gesturing enthusiastically, urging them to make more noise, and encouraging them to persevere.
After his penalty was saved, the passionate reaction of Portugal fans was captured on the big screen in the Frankfurt Arena, with chants of "Viva Ronaldo" echoing throughout the stadium.
A former Scotland winger, Pat Nevin, expressed his astonishment when he discussed the missed penalty kick. It's surprising to see him so emotional.
However, after successfully scoring in the shootout, there were no extravagant celebrations. Instead, he acknowledged the fans behind the goal and expressed his apologies.
"It's incredibly challenging to step up and take a penalty under normal circumstances, but to do so in a high-pressure situation right after missing one... astonishing," commented Alan Shearer, a former England striker, during his appearance on BBC One.
"The reason behind their greatness lies in their exceptional mental fortitude."
"There have been a few instances where, if we look back ten years ago, it's clear that he would have successfully capitalized on those opportunities." It's undeniable that Ronaldo has been the show's star, right?
According to Martin Keown, a former Arsenal defender, the emotional display and composed execution during the penalty shootout demonstrated that the player possessed great mental strength.
"Costa's performance was truly remarkable." He was their go-to person. Cristiano Ronaldo Tonight's focus wasn't on him. Let's talk about that man Costa.
With this being his final Euros, Ronaldo's determination to find the back of the net and lead Portugal to victory is at an all-time high.
Portugal's captain has already achieved a remarkable feat in Germany, participating in an unprecedented sixth European Championship.
With an impressive tally of 14 goals, he has dominated the European Championship, setting a record that no one else has been able to surpass. He has also made a staggering 28 appearances at the Euros, solidifying his status as a true legend of the tournament.
"There's a noticeable shift in his approach when he represents Portugal compared to his performances for his club teams," commented former Scotland striker Nevin.
"The country holds immense significance for him. Scoring may not be his top concern, but rather, the focus is on achieving positive results.
Ronaldo has achieved a remarkable feat by being the first player to successfully convert a penalty in three penalty shootouts at the Euros.
Nevertheless, his goal drought has drawn criticism, and it's unlikely that the recent events in Frankfurt will help improve his situation.
According to Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, he sets a constant example for all players in his homeland.
"When you witness a player, the sole player to have participated in six Euros, exuding the passion and conviction of a youthful individual - the intensity of these emotions is truly remarkable for someone who has achieved it all and lived through it all," expressed Martinez.
"He doesn't need to be overly concerned, and that's why I appreciate his laid-back nature for taking good care of the group. As the initial penalty taker in the shootout, it's worth noting that this individual had previously missed a penalty.
"I was confident he would be the first penalty taker, leading the way to victory." Our captain has truly impressed us all.
"The dressing room was filled with joy, and clearly, he demonstrated the importance of maintaining high standards and never losing hope." Life and football present challenging moments; he is a shining example of our pride in Portuguese football.
He has held the record for direct free-kick attempts in Euros competitions since 1980. However, he has yet to find the back of the net with these attempts.
Ronaldo has taken the most shots (20) among players who haven't scored a goal at Euro 2024 thus far.
This is the longest period he has gone without scoring a goal in major tournaments. He has consistently found the back of the net in every significant competition leading up to this one.
He needs to score in his previous eight matches in both the Euros and World Cup.
Ronaldo's penalty record is impressive, with 24 successful conversions in all competitions. However, in the Euros, he has scored five penalties and missed two, even in penalty shootouts.
In a surprising turn of events, Ronaldo's goal-scoring streak stopped during the group stage of Euro 2024.
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