Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reflected on his team’s journey, following his side’s Euro 2024 Round of 16 win over Slovenia on Monday.
Speaking in post-match interview, Ronaldo acknowledged that even the strongest individuals face challenging moments.
He savoured the jubilation of Portugal’s qualification for the Euro 2024 quarter-finals after a thrilling 3-0 penalty shootout victory over Slovenia.
“Even the strongest people have their [bad] days. “I was at rock bottom when my team needed me the most,” Ronaldo admitted in a post-match interview.
His penalty miss in extra time was a poignant setback, but within minutes, he redeemed himself by confidently converting his kick during the shootout.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa became a hero with three crucial saves, marking a historic moment in Euros history and securing Portugal’s spot in the quarter-finals against France.
“Sadness at the start is joy at the end,” Ronaldo reflected. “Football is filled with inexplicable moments. I feel a mix of emotions—sad and happy at the same time. What matters most is to savor these moments and appreciate the extraordinary effort our team put in. We fought until the very end, and I believe our victory was well-deserved.”
Portugal, who had dominated chances throughout the match, now looks ahead to a challenging encounter with France in Hamburg.
