Greece and Slovenia were the teams that brought tears to Christiano Ronaldo in his first and last Euro finals.
Portugal’s superstar was caught crying after his national team lost to Greece in the 2004 Euro final, in one of the greatest shocks in the history of football.
July 4, 2004, was one of the saddest days for Portugal, as the national team faced Greece in an unprecedented Euro Cup final. The Greeks, known then as the “Giant Killers,” reached the final after defeating Zidane’s France and Nedved’s Czech Republic.
Tears for Ronaldo in his first Euro against Greece
Portugal’s defeat against Greece in the opening match was a prelude to what would happen in the final. Players like Figo and a young Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t overcome the Greeks, who seemed destined to make history from the start of the tournament.
In the title match, Portugal had the responsibility of winning at home. However, as the match progressed, Greece grew stronger. Ten minutes into the second half, during a corner kick, Charisteas headed the ball to score a historic goal in front of 62,865 spectators.
Under the pressure of losing as the favorites, Cristiano Ronaldo and Figo tried to turn the situation around, but the Greek miracle had come to pass, and Greece was crowned Euro champion in Portugal.
This event marked one of the saddest days for Cristiano Ronaldo, an emotional burden he carried until the 2016 Euro Cup in France, where he finally became a champion.
Tears again for Ronaldo in his last Euro
Twenty years later the Portuguese star was in tears again when he missed a penalty against Slovenia in the 2024 Euro finals on Monday, the last Euro in his illustrious soccer career.
Although Portugal eventually progressed to the last eight of the competition where they will face France, Ronaldo was inconsolable.
Ronaldo was cast in the role of villain after missing a series of chances and having his extra-time penalty saved by Slovenia’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, in the scoreless encounter.
The 39-year-old was in tears during the extra-time break and consoled by teammates, but he converted a spot-kick in the shootout as Diogo Costa saved all three Slovenia penalties and Portugal won 3-0.
Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal in 2003 at the age of 18 and has earned more than 200 caps, making him history’s most-capped male player.
With 130 international goals, he is also the all-time top goal scorer. Ronaldo has played in and scored at eleven major tournaments; he scored his first international goal at Euro 2004, where he helped Portugal reach the final.
On 30 December 2022, Saudi club Al Nassr reached an agreement for Ronaldo to join the club, signing a contract until 2025. Ronaldo received the highest football salary ever, at €200 million per year, including a guaranteed football salary of €90 million, with commercial and sponsorship deals bringing his total annual salary to €200 million.