“This will be my last EURO, of course” - Cristiano Ronaldo drops big admission after missing penalty during Euro 2024 Round of 16 win vs Slovenia
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he's playing in his last European Championship after leading his team to a Euro 2024 Round of 16 win over Slovenia on penalties in Frankfurt on Monday (July 1). He missed a penalty in extra time but redeemed himself by scoring in the shootout.
Ronaldo had opportunities to break the deadlock earlier in the game as well, squandering a few presentable chances and blasting a powerful free-kick narrowly over. However, the best of them was obviously from the spot, just before half-time in extra time.
Jan Oblak, thoigh, pulled off a superb save, diving the right way, leaving a teary Ronaldo to be consoled by his teammates. However, he soon regrouped himself as penalties ensued, where he surprisingly took the first spot-kick for his team after Slovenia had missed their attempt.
Ronaldo made no mistake the second time, driving low to Oblak's right. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva then converted their efforts as well as Portugal booked a last-eight date with France after Slovenia missed all three attempts, a first in Euro history.
Post-game, Ronaldo told O Jogo (translated from Portuguese) that he's playing in his sixth and last European Championship:
"This will be my last European Championship, of course. But I don't get emotional about that, I get emotional about everything that football involves. Because of the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm of seeing my supporters, my family, the affection that people have for me.
"It's not about leaving football, because if I do, what else would I need to do or win? It won't be about one more point or one less point. Making people happy is what motivates me the most."
Next up for Ronaldo and Co. is a blockbuster Euro 2024 last-eight clash with two-time winners France on Friday (July 5) in Hamburg.
"We have a tough game against France" - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo on Euro 2024 quarterfinal
Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has no qualms about the challenge awaiting his team next, as they go up against France for a place in the Euro 2024 semifinals. Didier Deschamps' side booked their place in the last-eight after a 1-0 Round of 16 win over Belgium earlier in the day.
Ronaldo - who is the first player to score in Euro shootouts in three different editions and the oldest to score in a shootout - also opened up on why he opted to take the first penalty (as per the aforementioned source):
"We have a tough game now against France, who are one of the favourites to win. But we're going to war, the team is doing well, and I'll always give my best in this shirt.
"I missed the penalty but I wanted to be the first to score, because you have to take responsibility. I've never been afraid to face the usual things."
Cristiano Ronaldo is still looking to become the first player to score in six different Euros and the oldest to score in the European Championship finals. Portugal are looking to add to their 2016 title at Euro 2024.