- The players, 39 and 41, probably played their last European Championship
- They played together for a number of years for both Real Madrid and Portugal
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Cristiano Ronaldo consoled Pepe after Portugal’s defeat to France at Euro 2024.
The veteran side kept Les Bleus at bay in both regulation time and extra time, but fell short in the penalty shootout, with Joao Felix’s miss proving to be the only penalty not to go in.
Felix himself appeared heartbroken as the French players celebrated, but the cameras focused on the reaction of Ronaldo, who burst into tears in the round of 16 against Slovakia.
After missing a penalty in that match – before scoring in the shoot-out – Ronaldo scored again in Friday’s shoot-out. But because Felix missed the penalty and France had scored all of the penalties, his team was eliminated.
Ronaldo was seen sharing an emotional moment with teammate Pepe, 41, after the match, as both players look set to conclude their Euro 2016 campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo (right) consoled an emotional Pepe after Portugal’s defeat at Euro 2024
Pepe was seen sobbing in the arms of his captain after his team lost to France on penalties
Joao Felix’s penalty proved crucial as the veterans could only watch as France celebrated
Pepe surprised many at the tournament with his performances in the final years of his career. In February he turned 41 and was reportedly considering retirement.
“We have to get through this moment of loss because it is very painful,” Pepe said after the match, in which he helped his team to another clean sheet along with Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.
During his career he played 140 international matches for Portugal since his debut in 2007. Ronaldo is his country’s record holder with 212 international matches.
The duo played together for Real Madrid for a number of years. Pepe joined the club in 2007 and left in 2017. Ronaldo played there between 2009 and 2018.
It was a sour end to a period in which the two stars won a host of trophies together, with Pepe showing his all on the pitch in the final moments.
He was seen sobbing into Ronaldo’s shoulder, with the Portugal captain able to keep a smile on his face as he comforted his teammate as France celebrated.
Pepe said about the hug: ‘Ronaldo’s hug, yes, it means a lot. It is not the right moment because it is very painful, [but] “We are like brothers and we will talk about it later.”
The duo won the European Championship together in 2016 while playing for their country, but their future remains unclear.
However, Ronaldo has confirmed that he will not be taking part in the European Championship, saying earlier this week: ‘It is definitely the last European Championship, of course. But I am not emotional about it. I am moved by everything that football brings, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, the fact that my family is here, the passion of people.
‘It’s not about me leaving the football world. What else can I do or win?’
The stars enjoyed a number of successful years together at both Real Madrid and Portugal
Ronaldo has confirmed that the competition in Germany will be his last European Championship tournament
The attacker failed to score at the 2024 European Championship and received a lot of criticism for his performances during the tournament.
He started every game up front for his team in Germany, but it has been suggested that Roberto Martinez’s side’s attacking play often faltered due to Ronaldo’s interference.
The attack also included Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Bruno Fernandes, with players like Diogo Jota and Felix in reserve.
Martinez’s team scored five goals in as many games at the tournament and drew three.