Former Germany player Didi Hamann has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for his behavior during Portugal’s round of 16 game against Slovenia in Euro 2024.
With the game tied 0-0 in extra time, the former Real Madrid star had the chance to secure Portugal’s place in the quarter-finals when they were awarded a penalty. However, Atlético Madrid’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak made an outstanding save, denying Ronaldo both the goal and his first in the tournament. The miss left the 39-year-old Ronaldo in tears.
Despite Portugal’s eventual progression, former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Hamann was unimpressed with Ronaldo’s actions. Hamann criticized the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for making the game all about himself.
“I bought into that nonsense as well, but I think he showed his true colors again tonight. Missing the penalty, he starts crying on the pitch, he starts crying at half-time in extra-time. And I’m thinking ‘it’s all about you, all he thinks about is himself,'” Hamann said.
“A 39-year-old plays 120 minutes, he misses a penalty and I’ve got to say, I bought into all that ‘Ronaldo has turned into a team player because he needs the team more than he used to,'” he added.
When the game went to a penalty shootout, Portugal emerged victorious with the skipper redeeming himself by converting the first penalty for his team.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero of the night, saving all three of Slovenia’s penalties, while Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva added to Ronaldo’s goal to secure a 3-0 victory. The victory has set the stage for a much tougher but captivating encounter between Portugal and France in the quarter-finals.
