Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at his critics (Image: Getty)
Cristiano Ronaldo has fiercely defended himself after facing criticism for crying during Portugal’s Euro 2024 match against Slovenia. The 39-year-old forward was mocked for breaking down in tears after his penalty was saved by Jan Oblak in extra time during the last-16 game.
Pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer ridiculed the moment on their podcast, The Rest Is Football, in an episode titled ‘The Ronaldo Show’. Lineker likened Ronaldo’s reaction to that of a frustrated schoolboy, while Shearer accused him of having an inflated ego.
However, in a conversation with his former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo hit back at the criticism. He asserted that his tears were not ego-driven and called out his detractors as “cold-hearted” and “stupid” for failing to understand his emotions.
“They don’t know nothing,” he raged. “It’s much easier to criticise than to appreciate what you really have. We know how the press works, if you speak [positively] nothing sells, you have to speak [negatively]. It’s normal. And if you speak about Cristiano, it’s coming on the first page because I’m the most followed guy in the world.”
In a jab aimed at the likes of Lineker and Shearer, Ronaldo snarled: “What am I going to do? Am I going to cry and then finish my career because two rats criticised me? The world loves me! The fans love me! This is my motivation. Nobody is going to take my shine away because two guys from television that nobody knows have criticised me.”
Opening up about the reason for his tears, he added: “When you have passion for what you are doing, you can’t be worried about how you’re feeling. For example, I cried the day I missed the penalty… when I cried, it’s not because I felt that if I don’t score Portugal will be eliminated, and the world will collapse on me. It’s not because of that.
Cristiano Ronaldo was ruthlessly mocked for crying after missing a penalty at Euro 2024 (Image: Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
“People, they don’t know me. Imagine that the last 27 penalties, you score. Then you miss, and in that period, you feel bad for yourself. The people who come to the stadium, your kids, your mum, your girlfriend, everyone. I feel sad because of that.”
Ronaldo, who hit the 900 career goals milestone just last week, explained that when he falls short of the high standards he sets for himself, it affects him emotionally. However, he emphasised that this vulnerability is what makes him genuine.
“I didn’t even think about [Portugal losing],” he claimed. “I felt sad because of the pressure I put on myself since I was 11-years-old. ‘Cristiano Ronaldo you are the best player in the world’, I’m always thinking that way. And I put a lot of pressure on myself [because of that].
“So when things go wrong, you feel that. But I love that, I know how to deal with that. But when I missed the penalty I felt bad for myself, for the fans, family – not because of other stuff that people say. You have to express yourself. For me, if you hide this stuff, you’re not being yourself.”
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer stuck the knife in after Ronaldo’s tears (Image: Rest Is Football)
Portugal ultimately triumphed over Slovenia in a penalty shootout, with Ronaldo redeeming himself by scoring his spot-kick. However, their journey ended in the next round against France, in a match that once again went to penalties. Despite Ronaldo successfully converting his kick, Portugal fell short, losing 5-3.
The tournament marked the first major international competition where Ronaldo, despite his efforts, failed to score. His lacklustre performances led many to speculate that it might be time for him to step away from the international stage. However, Ronaldo dismissed such suggestions, showing no signs of backing down.
“In the national team, people say he’s done, he’s 39, he’s getting old. You know why? Because I didn’t score a goal [at Euro 2024]. But I scored 10 goals [in qualifying], and before the Euros I scored two goals against Ireland,” the Real Madrid legend said sternly.
“Whether or not I scored at the Euros, it wasn’t going to change who Cristiano is. People try to speak bad, but it’s no problem. The critics are always going to exist… but I’m not going to shy away.”
A constant feature of Portugal’s matches throughout the tournament was Ronaldo’s tendency to take ambitious long-range free-kicks whenever possible. This inevitably led to accusations of selfishness, but the Madeira-born star shrugged off the criticism, asserting that he’ll “always be like that.”
He also said a missed penalty will never knock his confidence. “Even if I miss, I will shoot [again]… I’m never going to change. Never. I’m not afraid.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1947735/Cristiano-Ronaldo-Gary-Lineker-Shearer-Man-Utd