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Days after the Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that the ongoing European Championships will be his last, he was seen consoling long-time teammate Pepe after the team’s exit from the UEFA Euro 2024. On Friday, Portugal lost to France 3-5 on penalties in their quarter-final after a goalless stalemate.
After the defeat, one of the greats of football, Cristiano Ronaldo, who might be featuring in his last Euros was seen comforting his tearful teammate Pep in Hamburg. Pepe, who is 41 years of age, wept on Ronaldo’s shoulder after Portugal’s heartbreaking loss against France.
Watch CR7 console tearful Pep after Portugal’s QF defeat at Euros:
Pepe reveals conversation with Ronaldo after Portugal’s exit
The 41-year-old, Pepe later went on to speak after his team’s exit from the UEFA Euro 2024. Although, he denied revealing the conversation he had with Ronaldo, as he said, “I won’t say it publicly,” to TV station Canal 11. Meanwhile he added, “But we feel it a lot. Contrary to what many people think, we feel it a lot. We feel the frustration of not winning a game, of being eliminated in such a big competition as the European Champions, knowing that we had a lot of quality to go through. That’s the pain we feel.”
Portugal’s exit to force Ronaldo international retirement? - Roberto Martinez opens up
Portugal’s 3-5 loss to France has potentially hinted on Ronaldo’s international retirement. After Portugal defeated Slovenia in the Round of 16, Ronaldo, who had a tearful moment out in the middle, also hinted at his international retirement. Speaking after their R16 win, Ronaldo said as per Portuguese outlet O Jogo, “It is, without doubt, my last European Championship.”
“But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by all that football means - by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me. It’s not about leaving football, because if I do, what else would I need to do or win? It won’t be about getting one more point or one less point. Making people happy is what motivates me the most,” he further added.
However, these might be the words from CR7, but coach Roberto Martinez also opened up after Portugal’s exit from the Euros. When asked about if it was Ronaldo’s last game, he said, “It’s too soon and raw after the match to talk about that and there have been no individual decisions made.”
