"One of the most outrageous acts of selfishness" – Ex-Liverpool star slams Cristiano Ronaldo for 'pathetic' act towards Portugal star at Euro 2024
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has lambasted Cristiano Ronaldo for not consoling Joao Felix after Portugal's quarter-final exit to France at the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2024.
Earlier on July 5, Portugal were knocked out of the Euro 2024 after France won 5-3 in the penalty shootout of their last-eight clash. While Ronaldo scored his team's first penalty, Felix failed to convert the third.
During a recent interaction on Irish television channel RTE, Hamann asserted that Ronaldo should have approached Felix as Portugal's captain after the end of their final Euro 2024 tie. He said (h/t Extra.ie):
"Everyone went over to Joao Felix but he didn't bother – he went down the tunnel. I think Felix needed an arm around the neck or the shoulder from his captain but he instead went down the tunnel. I just don't understand how – he's 39 now I think, he has been playing the game for 22 years – he doesn't understand the team dynamics."
Slamming the Al-Nassr attacker for his attitude, Hamann elaborated:
"I think the way he behaved the whole competition – playing the last game against Georgia when they had already won the group and playing the most minutes out of all the outfield players he clearly wasn't up to it anymore – was one of the most outrageous acts of selfishness I have ever seen in a team game."
Hamann, who played for Germany 59 times in his career, concluded:
"It shows he played an individual game in a team sport for the last 20 years. That shows how good he is but he could only do it because he was the best. He is going down as one of the all-time greats but when I look at his behavior throughout the tournament... I think he has let his team down. It was nothing short of pathetic."
How did Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo fare for Portugal at Euro 2024 in Germany?
Cristiano Ronaldo, who helped his national side win the Euro 2016 trophy, failed to replicate his club form for Portugal recently. He finished his Euro 2024 campaign in Germany without finding the back of the net.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker started all five of his team's matches at the Euro 2024. He provided one assist in the group-stage and featured in 486 minutes of action at the tournament.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, relished a great season for Al-Nassr last time around. The 39-year-old scored 44 goals and laid out 13 assists in 45 appearances across competitions for the Saudi Pro League club.