Euro 2024 – Portugal: Ronaldo and Pepe cry

Paul Roger, Media365: Published on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 11:17 am

Cristiano Ronaldo (39 years old) and Pepe (41 years old) were unable to hold back their tears after Portugal was eliminated by the Blues in the Euro quarter-finals. But did they say goodbye to the Lusitanian selection?

If he scores a shot on target, that's almost all Cristiano Ronaldo scored on Friday evening in Hamburg during Portugal's elimination by France in the German Euro quarter-finals (0-0, 3-5 tab). After being on the pitch for too long in the previous round against Slovenia, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, now 39, has not scored in a major competition for the Lusitanians for the first time in his career. Professional life. He could not hold back his tears when Theo Hernandez deceived Diogo Costa with the final shot on goal, after Joao Felix had hit the post. A shared suffering with his old friend Pepe (41 years old), who has become the oldest player to participate in a European tournament. Two men who may have played their last games for Portugal, even if Pepe is undoubtedly closer to ending his international career, or even his career altogether, while “CR7” is not yet talking about retirement.

“We are very sad”

But what did they say to each other? “I won't repeat what I said to Cristiano Ronaldo after the match, but we are very sad,” the Brazilian-born defender replied in a post-match press conference. Contrary to what many people think, we are very sad. We are disappointed that we did not win, and that we came out of such an important tournament, knowing that we have the quality to go further, and that is why we are sad.” And what about his personal issue? “I have already spoken with my teammates, I will not talk today about My future,” Pepe was quickly evacuated, who then reiterated that “football is cruel, sometimes it gives glory and sometimes it takes it away.”