Cristiano Ronaldo was the centre of attention last night once again during a major international tournament, but it wasn't for the reasons he would have wanted.
During Portugal's last-16 tie with Slovenia, the former Man United star stepped up to take a penalty late in extra time and finally break the deadlock.
Unfortunately for Ronaldo, the penalty was saved, the game finished 0-0 and a penalty shoot-out loomed, meaning that the match was now weighed 50/50, despite the fact that Portugal went into the game as strong favourites.
During the brief interval halfway through extra time, the five time Ballon d'Or winner broke down in tears, and needed to be consoled by his teammates.
With another 15 minutes of action to go, some viewers were angered by this reaction, and Didi Hamann, who was covering the game with RTÉ, was particularly vexed.
He’s got a responsibility towards the team, he’s the captain," he told viewers.
"If he doesn’t feel that he can help the team anymore, he’s got to say to the manager, 'you’ve got to take me off’.
"This is the most embarrassing, the most ridiculous decision I have ever seen…I’ve not seen it of anyone.
"He’s a role model, there are a lot of kids who want to be like him and failing is part of the game. I don’t know what he wanted to tell us by his reaction.
"I just found it utterly embarrassing what he did because it’s a team game. They are still in the game, it’s 0-0. He could have cried after the game."
READ MORE: Eamon Dunphy Accuses Southgate Of Same 'Baffling' Mistake As Ex-England Bosses
However, not everyone agreed with Hamann's reaction and some went as far to say that he was "out of touch."
Taking to social media, several viewers weighed in on the discussion, claiming that the former Germany star was out of line.
It’s actually laughable the hate the RTE panel have for Ronaldo🙈😁 Some laugh those lads trying to play with him 😂 or play to his standards
— Kevin Cassidy (@KCASS7) July 1, 2024
What have RTE against Ronaldo🙈 you keep your best players on the field especially in knock out ball. Disappointing. What mentality shown to put that peno away. Hamann is an eejit anyways.
— Conor.mortimer ⚽️ (@Conmort) July 1, 2024
Didi Hamann pure roasting Ronaldo on Rte.
Slating him for crying - is the most out of touch thing I’ve seen from a pundit in a long time. #EURO2024 #Rte #Ronaldo
— Jamie Jay Car (@JamieJayCar) July 1, 2024
Didi Hamann talking absolute nonsense on RTE, Ronaldo went on to score his next penalty 15 minutes later…
— FPLRebelz (@FplRebelz) July 1, 2024
The disrespect towards Ronaldo on RTE is disgraceful.. absolute nobody’s
— Ciaran Canavan (@canavan_ciaran) July 1, 2024
Luckily for Ronaldo his goalkeeper Diogo Costa was unstoppable in the penalty shoot-out, saving every one of the opposition's spot kicks.
The ex Real Madrid star also converted his, and made a 'sorry' motion to the fans afterwards, as though he were apologising for his earlier miss.
Even the strongest people have their [bad] days", Ronaldo told the BBC after the game.
"I was at rock bottom when the team needed me the most," said Ronaldo afterwards, before tearing up again.
"Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That's what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments. I feel sad and happy at the same time.
"But the important thing is to enjoy it. The team did an extraordinary job. We fought right to the end and I think we deserved it because we had more authority."
Portugal now play France in the quarter finals this Friday and with Ronaldo already admitting that this will be his last ever Euros, any game from here on could be his last on this stage.
