Cristiano Ronaldo was staunchly defended after the Manchester United legend was mocked over his penalty miss for Portugal in the Euro 2024 last-16 clash on Monday.
The 39-year-old Portuguese superstar is at his sixth European Championship and his 11th major tournament with the Portugal national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo retained the captain’s armband under Roberto Martinez and remains an important part of the Portugal manager’s plans going forward.
The Manchester United legend has started all four of Portugal’s matches at this summer’s Euros, but Ronaldo has faced criticism over his lack of impact.
Ronaldo has managed one assist at Euro 2024, with the Portugal captain selflessly setting up former United teammate Bruno Fernandes in the 3-0 win against Turkey.
The Al Nassr superstar has failed to find the back of the net once in open play at the tournament, with Ronaldo appearing frustrated over his failure to score at times.
Ronaldo’s goalscoring woes for Roberto Martinez’s men continued on Monday evening during Portugal’s round-of-16 encounter with Slovenia.
Man Utd legend Ronaldo defended
Cristiano Ronaldo had the perfect chance to break the deadlock for Portugal in the first half of extra time against Slovenia.
The former Manchester United star stepped up for a penalty and saw his spot-kick effort denied by Slovenian captain Jan Oblak in the last-16 tie.
A crestfallen Ronaldo broke down in tears after his penalty kick was saved, with former United teammate Diogo Dalot seen comforting him in the aftermath.
Ronaldo was able to redeem himself in the penalty shootout, with the Portugal captain stepping up first and managing to beat Oblak from the spot-kick.
The Al Nassr forward’s missed penalty featured the caption of ‘Misstiano Penaldo’ in the BBC’s package, which sparked a response from John Terry.
Chelsea legend John Terry took to Instagram Stories and furiously called out the brutal swipe towards the United legend.
“BBC, this is a disgrace,” he wrote as the caption.
Martinez reacts to Ronaldo penalty miss
Roberto Martinez has staunchly defended his decision to stick with Ronaldo, despite the United legend’s current run of form for the Euro 2016 champions.
The Portugal boss praised Ronaldo’s resilience and how he stepped up again for a penalty in the shootout after missing from the spot-kick during the match.
Speaking after the tie at Eintracht Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park, Martinez said (via The Guardian): “First and foremost, I think he is a constant example for us, the only player that has ever played in six European Championships.
“He is happy taking that responsibility and has got that belief. I thanked him [afterwards] for being the way he is, for caring for the group.
“I was certain that he would be the first penalty taker and show us the way to take victory.
“I think we’re all very proud of our captain. Our dressing room was all delighted. I think he gave us all a lesson.
“Life and football gives you difficult moments and the way he reacted shows why we are so proud in Portuguese football.”