Sadio Mane sends clear message to Cristiano Ronaldo after Euro 2024 tears

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after missing an extra-time penalty before Portugal finally qualified for the Euro quarter-finals, with Sadio Mane posting a message of support

Cristiano Ronaldo bursts into tears after missing penalty(No credit)

Sadio Mane has praised his Al-Nassr team for Cristiano Ronaldo after his penalty miss for Portugal against Slovenia, reminding him that he is “a great champion”.

The Portuguese missed his shot in extra time, his penalty saved by Jan Oblak with the last-16 tie still scoreless. Ronaldo’s shot hit the post and he became visibly emotional, even breaking down in tears at the halfway point of extra time.

His team-mates rallied around him and Portugal eventually secured their place in the quarter-finals. Ronald made amends by scoring in the penalty shootout, but those who know him sent messages of support – Mane was among them.

The Senegalese star, who joined Al-Nassr from Bayern Munich 12 months ago, said: “You remain a great champion”

Ronaldo’s only international success for Portugal came at the Euros eight years ago. The veteran is in the twilight of his career and was devastated to have let his team down by missing his shot from 12 yards. “Even the strongest have their (bad) days. I was at my lowest when the team needed me the most,” he said.

“The sadness at the beginning is the joy at the end. That’s football. 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 until the end and I think we deserved it because we had more authority.”

Despite Ronaldo’s status as a talisman in the Portuguese camp, it was goalkeeper Diogo Costa who was the centre of attention. The Porto number one managed to save all three of the Slovenian penalties he faced, making his country’s task much easier.

Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo are colleagues in Saudi Arabia((Getty Images)

“We all know that Cristiano is the hardest worker. I understand his frustration because he dedicates all his time to this. It’s a pleasure and an honour to be in the same team as him. We are a family, I really mean that. I focus on making the most of these opportunities and I wanted to help the team. That’s the most important thing. It’s probably the best game of my life,” he said.

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