Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the real reason he burst into tears after missing a penalty at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, actions many pundits and fans criticised at the time.
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The 39-year-old drew criticism at the tournament in Germany after crying following his squandered effort from 12 yards in extra-time of Portugal's round of 16 match against Slovenia.
Ronaldo was seen appearing visibly distraught after Jan Oblak's impressive save as his teammates attempted to console him, although he stepped up moments later in the penalty shootout to score.
A Selecao went on to win 3-0 on penalties, but that did not stop sections of the media from criticising the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was accused of putting his own feelings ahead of his nation's.
In a sit-down interview with his former Manchester United colleague Rio Ferdinand on his UR Cristiano Ronaldo YouTube channel, the Al Nassr superstar explained why he actually got emotional in that moment.
"When you have passion for what you are doing, you can't be worried about how you're feeling," he said.
"For example, I cried the day I missed the penalty... when I cried, it's not because I felt that if I don't score Portugal will be eliminated, and the world will collapse on me. It's not because of that.
"People, they don't know me. Imagine that the last 27 penalties, you score. And in that period, you feel bad for yourself.
"The people who come to the stadium, your kids, your mum, your girlfriend, everyone. I feel sad because of that."
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Portugal were later eliminated by France at the quarter-final stage on penalties.
