The European Championship competition has reached a fever pitch. In this matchday, Portugal and France clashed, both teams battling for 120 minutes, drawing a blank. In the penalty shootout, Félix missed, Diogo Costa’s magic faded, and Portugal fell 3-5. Despite failing to advance, this time Ronaldo didn’t break down. Instead, he smiled, embraced his distraught teammates, greeted his opponents, and calmly concluded his European Championship performance.
As the saying goes, “Beauty, like great warriors, cannot withstand the passage of time.” Ronaldo, embarking on his sixth European Championship journey, came with pride. However, time is merciless. In the previous match against Slovenia, Ronaldo missed a penalty in extra time, leading to the Portuguese captain’s tearful outburst, prompting the entire team to console him.
Fortunately, goalkeeper Diogo Costa stepped up, showcasing three incredible saves, dragging Portugal into the quarter-finals. Against a more formidable France, manager Martinez continued with the same lineup from the previous game, fielding the 39-year-old Ronaldo as the lone striker.
However, even Ronaldo, with his stubborn resilience, had to bow before the relentless passage of time. Throughout the match, Ronaldo attempted three shots, but only one was on target, failing to pose a significant threat.
In the 93rd minute, João Félix broke through on the right flank, delivering a precise cross into the box. Ronaldo appeared in time, seemingly poised to kill the game, but his shot sailed high over the bar.
Witnessing this, fans couldn’t help but lament, “Ronaldo is truly aging. His body can no longer keep up with his instincts.” In fact, this has become a recurring theme for Ronaldo. In such high-stakes matches like the European Championship quarter-finals, Ronaldo is demonstrably struggling.
The statistics don’t lie. Throughout the tournament, Ronaldo played five games, attempting 23 shots, but ultimately failing to find the net. Through his facial expressions, fans could sense his struggle, his frustration, and his pain. There’s no doubt about Ronaldo’s commitment and courage, but he’s undoubtedly aged.
In the penalty shootout, Ronaldo stepped up first for Portugal, confidently sending the ball towards the bottom left corner. While Maignan guessed correctly, Ronaldo’s shot was too precise, finding its way into the net.
Ronaldo fulfilled his duty, but unfortunately, luck wasn’t on their side. Diogo Costa, who had been a hero in the previous match, was unable to save a single penalty. In the third round, Félix struck the post with his penalty, ultimately leading to Portugal’s 3-5 defeat and elimination from the European Championship quarter-finals.
After the final whistle, cameras immediately focused on Ronaldo. The world wanted to know how he would bid farewell to the European Championship.
Surprisingly, Ronaldo, known for his emotional outbursts, chose not to cry. Instead, he stoically suppressed his disappointment and frustration. He shook hands with Griezmann, hugged and comforted a distraught Pepe, exchanged pleasantries with Deschamps, and then calmly walked towards the tunnel.
For the 39-year-old Ronaldo, 30 European Championship appearances, 14 goals, 4 assists, and 1 championship trophy – holding the records for most appearances, goals, and assists – certainly don’t constitute a failure. However, since the 2020 European Championship, his best performance in three major tournaments has been reaching the quarter-finals, a result far from satisfactory.
Joining Ronaldo in a poignant farewell is Pepe. The 41-year-old “Monk,” with five European Championship campaigns and four World Cup appearances, has also reached the end of his journey.
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