“You are still a great champion,” Mane wrote on social media under a photo of a crying Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score a penalty in the 1/8 final match of Euro 2024 against Slovenia (0:0, 3:0 penalties). The 39-year-old Portuguese’s shot in the 105th minute was saved by Jan Oblak. The loss against Slovenia was a tough blow for Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team. At 39 years old, this may have been Ronaldo’s last chance to win a major international trophy with his country. Portugal had been among the favorites to win Euro 2024, but their campaign ended in disappointment after the penalty shootout defeat.
Ronaldo, who is Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, has enjoyed an illustrious career at both the club and international level. He has won multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid and Juventus, as well as numerous domestic league and cup trophies. At the international level, he led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016, scoring the winning goal in the final against France. However, despite his numerous accolades, Ronaldo has faced criticism in recent years for his perceived ego and diva-like behavior. His refusal to be substituted in a match against South Korea at the 2022 World Cup was seen by many as indicative of his self-centered attitude.
Mane’s message of support for Ronaldo after the Euro 2024 defeat was a classy gesture, recognizing the Portuguese star’s enduring greatness despite the disappointment of the loss. Mane and Ronaldo have faced off numerous times in the Champions League and international competitions, and while they are fierce rivals on the pitch, they seem to have a mutual respect for each other’s abilities. The post-match scenes of Ronaldo in tears on the pitch were a poignant reminder of the intense emotions that come with competing at the highest level of the sport. Despite his wealth, fame, and success, Ronaldo is still human and the pain of defeat can be just as devastating for him as it is for any other player. As Ronaldo contemplates his future in the game, he will no doubt be reflecting on his legacy and how he will be remembered.
While he may not have won another major international trophy, his place as one of the all-time greats of the game is already secure. Younger players like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland may be the rising stars of the game, but Ronaldo’s impact on football over the past two decades cannot be overstated. He has inspired countless young players to pursue their dreams of becoming professional footballers, and his relentless drive and dedication to the sport have set a new standard for what it means to be a true champion. Regardless of how Ronaldo’s career ultimately ends, he will always be remembered as a true icon of the game. His ability to overcome adversity and continue performing at the highest level, even as he enters the twilight of his career, is a testament to his incredible mental fortitude and physical prowess.
For Ronaldo, this missed penalty was his first since February 2022. Oblak, on the other hand, made the save from the spot for the first time since January 2022. Ronaldo also became the first European player in the 21st century to fail to score three penalties while representing his national team in major tournaments. The miss against Slovenia was a particularly agonizing one for Ronaldo, as it came with the game tied 0-0 in the dying moments of extra time. A successful conversion would have sent Portugal through to the quarterfinals, but instead, the match went to a penalty shootout. Ronaldo’s penalty woes at major tournaments have been well-documented in recent years.
At the 2022 World Cup, he failed to score from the spot in Portugal’s quarterfinal defeat to Morocco. Prior to that, he had also missed a crucial penalty in the 2021 Champions League round of 16 tie between Juventus and Porto. Despite his unparalleled goalscoring exploits at the club level, Ronaldo has struggled to replicate that form when representing his country in high-stakes situations. This latest miss only serves to further tarnish his reputation as a reliable penalty taker, something that had previously been a hallmark of his game. Oblak, on the other hand, has established himself as one of the top shot-stoppers in world football. The Slovenian goalkeeper has been a consistent performer for Atletico Madrid over the past decade, and his penalty save against Ronaldo was just the latest in a long line of impressive displays.
The match against Slovenia was a tense and cagey affair, with both teams proving difficult to break down. Portugal, despite their star-studded lineup, struggled to create clear-cut chances, and Ronaldo’s late penalty miss ultimately proved to be the decisive moment. Slovenia, led by manager Srecko Katanec, executed their game plan to perfection, frustrating the Portuguese attackers and capitalizing on their opponent’s wastefulness in front of goal. The penalty shootout victory was a deserved reward for their resilient defensive performance. Ronaldo’s future with the Portuguese national team has been the subject of much speculation in recent years. At 39 years old, he may be approaching the end of his international career, and this latest disappointment will only add to the questions about his continued involvement.
However, Ronaldo has shown time and again that he is a player who thrives on adversity. He has bounced back from setbacks before, and it would be unwise to count him out just yet. If he decides to continue playing for Portugal, he will undoubtedly be determined to make amends for this latest failure and add one more major trophy to his illustrious collection. Regardless of how Ronaldo’s international career ultimately ends, his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time is already secure. He has inspired countless young players around the world, and his relentless pursuit of excellence has set a new standard for what it means to be a true champion.
