From shedding tears at “rock bottom” to penalty shoot-out redemption and a place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, the script is never dull when Cristiano Ronaldo is on the big stage.
The 39-year-old had endured a frustrating match against Slovenia as his search for a first goal in this year's tournament in Germany continued, missing a glorious chance at the end of normal time to break the deadlock at 0-0.
But Ronaldo's big scene seemingly arrived in extra-time, when Portugal were awarded a penalty after a foul on Diogo Jota, only for the Al Nassr attacker to fluff his lines as goalkeeper Jan Oblak tipped his effort on to the post and the moment was gone.
The Al Nassr attacker was visibly stunned and that shock turned into tears when the whistle went for half-time in extra-time as Ronaldo wept openly, consoled by teammates and Portugal supporters who sang his name after his reaction was shown on the big screen in the Frankfurt Arena.
But the dramatic finale was still to come. Extra-time finished goalless, it was shoot-out time and Ronaldo – composure now recovered – was first up. Same end, different result as the ball is sent to the opposite corner putting Portugal on the way to a 3-0 spot-kick victory with Diogo Costa saving all three Slovenia penalties.
“Even the strongest people have their [bad] days,” said Ronaldo, who is looking to win his second European Championship crown after lifting the trophy back in 2016.
“I was at rock bottom when the team needed me most. I was sad at first but now I’m happy. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments.”
Asked about what he was feeling during the match, Ronaldo replied: “When I think of my family, I feel emotional because they are unique moments that I cannot express in words.
“They are people I love, the fans who are always with us and especially with me, and I am very happy about that.
“I hadn’t missed a penalty kick all year. At this moment I missed it, but the most important thing is that the team won.
“I lost twice on penalties this season and won the third time. Sometimes football is fair and sometimes just, but we deserved to qualify.
“I will always give my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not, but you have to take responsibility when the team has to.”
Next up for Ronaldo will be France, the team Portugal defeated to win their first major title in 2016. That match in Paris had a familiar ring to it: Ronaldo – then a mere whippersnapper at 31 years of age – in tears during the game before Portugal went on to win.
On that occasion, Ronaldo – then at the peak of his powers at Real Madrid – had been carried off after injuring his knee in the first-half despite two attempts to play on through his obvious pain.
He then proceeded to urge on his teammates from the sidelines, offering more tactical advice and encouragement than manager Fernando Santos as the knife-edge game wore on.
An extra-time goal from Eder proved the match-winner at Stade de France, more tears followed but Ronaldo had finally secured a major honour with his country.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is an amazing example,” said Santos after the match. “Today he tried to remain on the pitch. He was very strong in the locker room, he helped all of the boys, that's the definition of teamwork.”
Standing in his way of yet another remarkable chapter in the most storied of careers will be the man who has taken over Ronaldo's mantle – shared for so long with old foe Lionel Messi – as the world's best player and is, ironically, joining Real Madrid this summer.
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France captain Kylian Mbappe, like Ronaldo, has not enjoyed the best of tournaments. A badly broken nose picked up during Les Bleus' opening game means the 25 year old will be wearing a protective mask when the two teams clash in Hamburg on Friday.
Mbappe has managed just one goal in Germany, a penalty in the group-stage draw against Poland, and is struggling with his peripheral vision due to the mask which he describes wearing as “an absolute horror”. In Monday's last-16 win over Belgium, the 2018 World Cup winner failed to hit the target in five attempts on goal.
The stage is now set for a fantastic Friday quarter-final double-header with hosts Germany taking on an exciting Spanish team – with their own array of attacking talents led by 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, 21 – in the early game.
But for now, it is an old-timer hogging the spotlight. “I have never been afraid to face things head on,” said Ronaldo, who recently set a new goalscoring record in the Saudi Pro League side for Nassr. “Sometimes I do things right, sometimes I don’t, but giving up is something you will never hear from me.”
