“We all want to win for our country” - Pepe opens up on hugging Cristiano Ronaldo and breaking down after Portugal crash out of Euro 2024
Portugal veteran Pepe spoke about his emotional reaction as he hugged Cristiano Ronaldo following the Selecao's exit from Euro 2024. France beat Portugal 5-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals on Friday (July 5).
Speaking to the media after the match, the defender referred to his tearful reaction and sharing a hug with Ronaldo, calling it a "process of pain and sadness."
“I will have time to talk, first we have to go through the process of pain and sadness, it is part of it. We all want to win for our country, we are unable to give that joy to the people, but unfortunately, football is like that." he said (via Ojogo).
Pepe recalled how Portugal had won 3-0 on penalties against Slovenia in the Euro 2024 Round-of-16 clash on July 1, but focused on being strong together as a team.
"Four or five days ago we won on penalties and today we lost. We have to give strength to our teammates and believe in the process, we are on the right path." he added.
After Theo Hernandez converted the final penalty kick for France during the shootout, Pepe broke down as the Selecao bowed out of the Euro 2024. Cristiano Cristiano Ronaldo quickly came to hug the defender and consoled him while holding on to his composure.
Ronaldo was similarly emotional after missing a crucial penalty for Portugal during their Round-of-16 clash against Slovenia. Many of his teammates, including Pepe, Diego Costa, and Bernardo Silva consoled the icon at the time.
Both Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo may have played their final European Championship game
Portugal's clash against France in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals could have been the final European tournament game for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, who've been representing the team for almost two decades.
Speaking after the match, Pepe avoided discussing his future with the national team but said that he had made a decision and would reveal it soon.
"Future? I have already made my decision and will reveal it soon. That’s not the important thing now. The most important thing is to congratulate my teammates for their dedication to the game. We fulfilled the plan, but football is like that, cruel,” the veteran said (via Ojogo).
The 41-year-old has been one of the best players for Portugal in the Euro 2024. In the quarter-final clash, he made six important clearances with two blocked shots and two tackles.
While the world of football has yet to hear from Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo has made his decision clear about his European Championship future. After Portugal's win over Slovenia in the Round of 16, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner revealed that it was his last appearance in the tournament.
"Without a doubt it's the last Euro [for me], of course it is. But I'm not emotional about that. I'm moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people's passion... it's not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?" Ronaldo told Portugal TV's RTP (via ESPN).
Although Cristiano Ronaldo was underwhelming in the tournament and failed to find the net in any of Portugal's five matches, he left the tournament as the all-time top goalscorer.