Cristiano Ronaldo has officially confirmed that Euro 2024 will be his last European Championship, following Portugal’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Slovenia on July 1, 2024. The 39-year-old Portuguese captain, who has made a record-breaking six appearances in European Championships, experienced an emotional rollercoaster during the match.Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty in the 105th minute of extra time, leading to a tearful breakdown that required consolation from his teammates. However, he showed resilience by converting Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout, which ended 3-0 in Portugal’s favor. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerged as the hero, becoming the first keeper in European Championship history to save three penalties in a shootout.In post-match interviews, Ronaldo explained his emotional reaction, stating, ‘Even the strongest people have their (bad) days. I was at rock bottom when the team needed me most’. He emphasized that what motivates him most is making people happy and the enthusiasm he has for the game, rather than the fact that it’s his last tournament.Despite confirming this as his last Euro, Ronaldo remains committed to giving his all for the national team. He said, ‘I’ll always give my best for this shirt, whether I miss it or not. And I’ll do this my whole life’. However, his performance has raised questions about his current form, with some suggesting it might be time for Portugal to focus on younger players.Portugal now faces a challenging quarterfinal match against France on July 5, 2024, in Hamburg. Ronaldo acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming game but expressed determination, stating, ‘We’ll go to war!’.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo confirms Euro 2024 will be his last European Championship.
- Portugal advances to Euro 2024 quarterfinals after dramatic penalty shootout win over Slovenia.
- Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty in extra time but redeemed himself in the shootout.
- Portugal faces France in the quarterfinals on July 5, 2024, in Hamburg.
Contradictions👾While some sources emphasize Ronaldo’s emotional resilience and commitment, others suggest his performance indicates it might be time for Portugal to focus on younger players.
