Portugal dressing room’s honest Cristiano Ronaldo feelings emerge after bursting into tears

Cristiano Ronaldo burst into tears shortly after seeing his extra-time penalty saved by Jan Oblak, with the big screen at the Frankfurt Arena then showing his mother Delores in the stands crying too

Tears on the pitch, tears in the stands, but support in the dressing room.

Cristiano Ronaldo ’s emotions may have spilled over during Portugal’s penalty shootout win over Slovenia, but for now the word from inside the camp is that it’s his party and he can cry if he wants to.

Ronaldo burst into tears shortly after seeing his extra-time penalty saved by Jan Oblak, with the big screen at the Frankfurt Arena then showing his mother Delores in the stands crying too.

It took the efforts of several Portugal players to pick Ronaldo up for the start of the second period, during which Diogo Costa made a superb save from Benjamin Sesko before going on to make three more in the shootout.

For Portugal boss Roberto Martinez though, Ronaldo’s decision to take the first kick for his side showcased everything that he wants his squad to be. Even if it comes with a few tears.

“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,” gushed 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.”

Indeed, similar sentiments soon came from tumbling from the mounts of those within the Portugal camp.

Bernardo Silva, who scored the winning kick, recalled his “brutal” experience when missing the crucial penalty for Manchester City against Real Madrid in April, while Joao Palhinha said: “It was Cristiano, but it could have been any of us.”

Hero goalkeeper Costa, perhaps receiving a little less attention than he deserved for becoming the first ever goalkeeper to save three penalties in a Euros shootout, said: “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.”

And he’ll continue to play with him in Friday’s quarter-final with France in Hamburg, with Martinez – who has consistently faced questions about his selection of Ronaldo in Germany – showing no signs of dropping him.

Ronaldo himself, in a rare deference to his age, admitted that this will be his final European Championships after the match. He’ll be 43 by the time the UK and Ireland tournament rolls around in 2028 after all.

For now his side are adamant he’s the man to lead their line in 2024 though, even with the looming possibility of more tears come Friday night.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.