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New York Post
Cristiano Ronaldo consoles devastated Pepe after Portugal’s crushing Euro 2024 exit
By Caroline McCarthy,
5 hours ago
Cristiano Ronaldo has likely bid adieu to his chances at winning the title at his last European Championship.
In a nail-biting penalty kick shootout on Friday, France beat Portugal, 5-3, to advance to the semis after the match went scoreless through extra time.
Portugal star Pepe, 41, broke out into tears following the loss, crying on his captain’s shoulder.
A composed Ronaldo consoled Pepe, the oldest player in Euro Championship history, who is also rumored to retire this season, as the pair made their final exit from the Euro stage.
Pepe has not confirmed if he will continue to play after this season.
“We need to go through this moment of our loss, which is very painful,” Pepe said afterward, per the Associated Press.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores during a penalty shootout against France. AP
However, earlier this week, Ronaldo said it would be his final Euro.
“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” the all-time leading goal scorer across all major competitions said Tuesday.
“But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion… it’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
He also reached the final with Portugal in 2004 and the semis in 2012.
It is not yet clear if Ronaldo will continue playing for his country through to the 2026 World Cup.
Pepe of Portugal is consoled by teammate Cristiano Ronaldo following the team’s defeat in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 05, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. Getty Images
The victory ended France’s losing streak in shootouts after losing in them at their last two major tournaments, including the 2021 Euro Championship and 2022 World Cup final.
France will move on to play Spain in the semifinals.
“Everything is too raw,” coach Roberto Martinez said when he was asked about it it indeed was Ronaldo’s last game for Portugal. “We are suffering a defeat as a team — there are no individual decisions at this point.”
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