Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Portugal supporters ahead of Euro 2024 QF clash with France
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to fans as his team take on France in a blockbuster UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final with France on Friday (July 5) in Hamburg.
Roberto Martinez's side had to labour to reach the last-eight, needing penalties to see off a stubborn Slovenia side in the Round of 16 earlier this week. Ronaldo squandered several presentable openings - including an extra-time penalty - as a shootout ensued.
However, the Al-Nassr forward redeemed himself by beating the Slovak custodian Jan Oblak as A Selecao won the shootout 3-0 to reach the Euro quarter-finals for the first time since their triumph at Euro 2016. Ahead of the clash with Les Bleus, Ronaldo posted a message for fans on Instagram, which reads (as translated from Portuguese):
"We were, are and will always be all of us. Believe."
Ronaldo and Co. won Group F with successive wins over the Czech Republic and Turkey to win the group. However, a much-changed Selecao side fell to a shock 2-0 loss to Georgia in their final game before needing penalties to see off Slovenia in the first knockout round.
How has Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo fared at Euro 2024 ahead of France clash?
Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo is having a rather lukewarm Euro 2024 campaign, going by his staggering standards. Playing a record-extending sixth European Championship, the 39-year-old is yet to open his account after four games.
It's the first time in 11 major-tournament appearances that Ronaldo went through the group stage without scoring. He did notch up an assist in the Turkey win to go level with Czech Republic legend Karol Poborsky (eight) for most assists at the Euros.
By scoring in the shootout against Slovakia, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner became the oldest player to score in a Euro shootout and the first to do at three different shootouts in as many editions of the competition (also 2004, 2016).
Against France, he will look to become the first player to score in six editions of the Euros - nobody else has done so in more than four - and also become the oldest scorer in competition history.