Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the real reason why he appeared to be crying during Portugal’s last-16 clash with Slovenia.
TV images appeared to show the five-time Ballon d’Or winner sobbing like a schoolgirl who just found out her favourite boy band had split up after he saw his extra-time penalty tipped onto the post by Jan Oblak.
However, the Al Nassr forward has given a very straightforward explanation for the tears which were streaming down his face in the Frankfurt Arena.
‘Crying? No. There was something in my eye’, Ronaldo told Paddy Power News.
‘Many people will assume I was bawling because I squandered a golden opportunity to hog the headlines by scoring a match winning goal – but I can assure you there was something in my eye. Probably an eyelash’.
The former Real Madrid star also attributed his umpteen wayward free kicks to the stray eyelash.
‘It’s true. Out of the last 60 free kicks I’ve taken at major tournaments, 59 times there was something in my eye’.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s major tournament free-kick success?
1/60 (1.7%) pic.twitter.com/dI0RxqlyYr
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 2, 2024
‘The one time I scored a free kick there was nothing in my eye and David De Gea was in goal, which helps’.
Ronaldo sent further shockwaves through the world of football last night when he announced this will be his final European Championships.
‘I know this will come as a surprise to many, but I won’t be playing for Portugal in four years’ time’, said the 39-year-old.
‘It’s a shame because I know a lot of people would love to see another generation of talented Portuguese players spend an entire tournament teeing up tap-ins for a fella in his mid-40s’.
When asked whether he regrets rejecting the opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola and win another Champions League medal at Manchester City to go and sit on the bench under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United instead, Ronaldo said:
‘Sorry, there must be something in my eye’.
*Paddy Power’s football coverage is pure fantasy – don’t believe it for a second.
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