Portugal was lucky enough to dodge a bullet against Slovenia in the UEFA Euro 2024. A 120-minute stalemate affair saw the match go to a penalty shootout which Os Navegadores won 3-0. However, the game could have been put to bed within the first half of the extra time via a penalty, which unfortunately, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert, making him burst into tears during the contest. But instead of garnering compassion, CR7 is being slammed for weeping when the ‘game was still going on.’

The 39-year-old’s emotional outburst became a topic of discussion on the latest episode of talkSPORT among the panel of former players, Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy. While a caller named Raj and O’Hara agreed that Ronaldo’s tears showcased passion for his nation, Cundy thought otherwise.

Cundy mentioned, “It wasn’t like you missed a penalty shootout or the game was over. The game was still going on around him. I mean, you’ve got to hold it together at that moment, surely.”

Interestingly, O’Hara questioned Cundy if professional soccer players are robots and don’t have a right to be emotional. The former Chelsea and Tottenham defender argued that players can’t be crying during the game and should rather focus on ‘bigger moments’. While reminding Ronaldo as the team captain, Cundy insisted his teammates were running around him and he still had a job to do.

He acknowledged that if something happened in the aftermath, then it’s quite understandable to see players breaking down. Yet, he was perplexed to witness it in Ronaldo’s case. Cundy further stated that things have become ‘more about him’ than the entire team. Surprisingly, these words echo those of the former Liverpool star.

Cristiano Ronaldo is being held in excessive ‘esteem’ by Portugal and Roberto Martinez

Steve Nicol was blunt in his criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to his missed opportunity, which left him sobbing on the field. The Liverpool legend argued that Ronaldo’s behavior negatively affected his teammates, who struggled to refocus him on the game. Nicol pointed out that Ronaldo’s actions not only put his country in a ‘bad situation,’ CR7 even put his team in a similar mental state.

“He’s taking them because he says he’s taking them. Roberto Martinez wouldn’t say no to him,” Nicol added.

The pundit also reminded the Al Nassr star of his failure to score somewhere near 34 free kicks. “The problem that Portugal and Roberto Martinez have is Ronaldo is held in so much esteem that nobody wants to be the one to say no,” concluded Nicol.

Be that as it may, it’s clear that Ronaldo only saw himself become a subject of criticism by shedding tears on the pitch. The best way for him to change the situation and silence the negative comments is by defeating France in the quarter-finals.