Ronaldo Calls Penalty Miss Against Slovenia His “Rock Bottom” Moment
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo described his missed penalty against Slovenia as hitting “rock bottom.” Known for his skill in penalty situations, the 39-year-old icon has recently struggled, missing three of his last nine attempts in major international competitions, including the crucial miss on Monday night.
Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to score his first goal in Euro 2024 after 20 unsuccessful shots, but his penalty attempt was thwarted by Slovenia’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Had he scored, the game wouldn’t have gone to a penalty shootout.
Despite this setback, Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa stepped up, saving three penalties in the shootout. Ronaldo, who took Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout, converted his kick and used the moment to apologize to the fans at the stadium instead of celebrating.
Although Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals, Ronaldo was visibly emotional, realizing his miss nearly cost his team a place in the next round. In a post-game interview, a tearful Ronaldo reflected on the experience.
“Even the strongest people have their bad days. I was at rock bottom when the team needed me the most,” Ronaldo admitted. “Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments. I feel sad and happy at the same time.”
Ronaldo praised his teammates for their determination. “The important thing is to enjoy it. The team did an extraordinary job. We fought right to the end and I think we deserved it because we had more authority.”
He also acknowledged that this would be his last European Championship. “This will be my last Euro, of course. But I’m not moved by this; I’m moved by enthusiasm. I was sorry for the fans. I’ll always give my best for this shirt, whether I miss it or not. And I’ll do this my whole life. You have to take responsibility.”
Portugal will face France in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Friday, July 5, with kickoff at 8 p.m.
