Portugal Coach And Teammates Back Ronaldo: Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo broke into tears after missing what could have been a game-changing penalty against Slovenia in the Euro 2024 Round of 16. But GOAT stepped himself up to take the first kick from the spot when the game went past the extra time. Portugal won the game 3-0 from the shootout and marched past to the quarterfinals.
It was Portugal’s goalkeeper Diego Costa’s heroics that helped Portugal win the game. Costa stopped 3 of the Slovenian shots, while all Portuguese players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, scored from the spot.
Portugal Coach And Teammates Back Ronaldo
After the match, Portugal teammates and the coach spoke out to support the all-time great.
“He doesn’t need to care that much, and that’s why I thank him for being the way he is, for caring for the group,” said Portugal coach Martinez.
“He is someone that, after missing a penalty, was the first penalty taker [in the shootout]. And I knew, I was certain that he had to be the first penalty taker and show us the way to the victory.
“I think we’re all very, very proud of our captain, the dressing room was delighted with what he’s done, and I think he gives us all a lesson that you need to live every day as your last.
“You need to have real high standards, and never give up. Life in football gives you difficult moments and the way he reacted is a real example. We are very proud of him.”
Similar sentiments came from the players from the Portuguese camp
“It was Cristiano, but it could have been any of us,” said Bernardo Silva
The matchwinner, Diego Costa also came up to support his captain
“We all make mistakes, Cristiano has and I have, but what matters is what we do next.
“Cris is a hard-working person, I understand his frustration, he dedicates a lot of time to himself. He is an example for us, for me it is an honour to play with him.”
Portugal will meet France in the quarterfinals at Hamberg, which will be a repeat of their 2016 final, when the Portuguese were crowned as Euro Champions.
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