Cristiano Ronaldo has long been heralded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His astonishing goal-scoring record and innumerable accolades speak for themselves.
Yet even the most accomplished athletes are not immune to moments of weakness, and for Ronaldo, this came in the form of a missed penalty that triggered a public breakdown.
The football superstar couldn't hold back his emotions after missing a crucial penalty to give his country the advantage in extra time during a game against Slovenia.
It had been a frustrating night for the former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker.
He had chances in normal time but kept firing straight at the goalkeeper, Oblak. Despite 20 shots on goal, he remains goalless at Euro 2024.
However, he had a chance to shoot from 12 yards after Diogo Jota was fouled in the penalty area, but Jan Oblak guessed correctly and made the best of the pass to deny him.
Ronaldo in action for Portugal | Vlad1988 / Shutterstock.com
In a candid interview, Ronaldo shared that even the strongest people have their weak moments, and he was at an all-time low when his team needed him the most.
Many speculate that Ronaldo's emotional reactions may be due to the possibility of it being his final European Championship match, given the twilight of his career.
However, the 39-year-old football legend criticized Slovenia's approach to the last-16 encounter.
It's both feelings of happiness and sadness simultaneously, but what matters most is the progress. The team deserves it.
Slovenia did an excellent job at defending the entire time, and our goalkeeper made three good saves in the penalty shoot-out. Ronaldo said the team truly deserves congratulations.
The Al-Nassr forward acknowledged that this will be his final European Championship in Germany, marking his sixth appearance since Euro 2004. However, he said the pressure of making those close to him proud brought out more of his emotions than the fact that his career is close to its end.
While speaking to O Jogo, he said: " Without doubt, it is my last Championship. I don't get emotional about that, but I get emotional about everything that involves football.
Because of my passion for the game, the joy of seeing my family, my supporters, and the affection that people have for me.
It's not about leaving football because if I do, what else would I need to do or win? It won't be about getting one more point or one less point. What really motivates me the most is making people happy.”
Though Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty was a momentary setback, it's a poignant reminder of his humanity.
Despite being a legendary figure in football, he's still vulnerable to the same emotions and struggles that affect all of us.
However, Ronaldo's incredible record as a prolific goal-scorer in both club and international competitions remains untarnished.
His 140 Champions League goals and 14 Euro goals stand as a testament to his enduring greatness.