Home Football How mum’s tears sparked Cristiano Ronaldo’s meltdown: Portugal star’s crying 69-year-old mother appears to trigger emotional strop after missing Euros penalty – and he then storms out of interview… even though they won!

How mum’s tears sparked Cristiano Ronaldo’s meltdown: Portugal star’s crying 69-year-old mother appears to trigger emotional strop after missing Euros penalty – and he then storms out of interview… even though they won!

Football — 07/02/2024

New footage has surfaced showing Cristiano Ronaldo in tears after seeing his mother crying in the stands following his penalty miss during Portugal’s last-16 match against Slovenia at Euro 2024.

Ronaldo had to be consoled by his team-mates before the second half of extra time started

Ronaldo had the chance to give Portugal the lead in the first period of extra time, following a goalless draw in regular time when Diogo Jota was fouled in the penalty area.

Video footage appears to show Ronaldo looking up into the stands and seeing his mother weeping

He stepped up to score his first goal of the tournament but was denied by a brilliant save from Jan Oblak. Ronaldo held himself together for a few minutes until the half-time whistle of extra time, but then broke down in tears as Roberto Martinez delivered a pep talk to the team.

The new video reveals Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, 69, weeping in the stands after his miss. Ronaldo appears to look up and see her reaction, which triggered his emotional breakdown on the pitch.

His 69-year-old mother, Dolores Aveiro (top) was seen crying in the stands after Ronaldo's miss

Wearing the captain’s armband, Ronaldo had to be comforted by his teammates before the second half of extra time began.

Cristiano Ronaldo had his penalty saved by Jan Oblak in extra time on Monday night

Ronaldo and Co were unable to find the breakthrough in extra time, but finally got their act together to prevail on penalties.

The 39-year-old superstar stepped up to take Portugal’s first penalty after Slovenia’s first effort had been kept out by Diogo Costa, and this time he found the bottom corner.

There have been calls for Martinez to drop Ronaldo, but he backed his captain after the game

He apologised to the Portugal fans behind the goal after scoring, knowing that his earlier penalty could have prevented a shootout from being needed to separate the teams.

From that moment, Costa took centre stage as he saved another two penalties to become the first goalkeeper in Euros history to save three spot-kicks in a single shootout.

Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva converted their own penalties to give Portugal a 3-0 shootout win as they booked themselves a quarter-final against France on Friday.

Ronaldo claimed after the game that he had forgotten about his miss as his team got through

Ronaldo was visibly relieved to see his side get through, but was still very emotional when he spoke to the media after the game.

Asked to reflect on what was going through his head when he failed to score his penalty in extra time, Ronaldo stormed out of an interview with Sport TV.

‘The strongest sometimes have their days too. I was down, sad, because when the team needs it… I’ll talk later, I can’t do it,’ he said before walking away from the press area.

Ronaldo stormed out of an interview with Sport TV after the game as he was still too upset after his penalty miss, despite his team winning

Ronaldo spoke to other media members, attributing his intense reaction to his frustration over not being able to secure a lead for his team. However, he emphasized that he had moved past his penalty miss after his team ultimately advanced.

“Sadness at the start is joy at the end,” he explained. “That’s what football is—moments, inexplicable moments.

“One direct shot to give the team the lead and I didn’t manage it. Oblak made a good save … I will have to see the penalty again. I don’t know if I shot well or badly, but I haven’t missed once all year, and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it.”