‘Embarrassing’ – Hamann slams ‘irresponsible’ Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s emotional breakdown during extra-time in last night’s dramatic Euro 2024 victory over Slovenia was described as “utterly ridiculous” by RTÉ analyst Didi Hamann, adding the captain let his team and country down.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three penalties in the shoot-out after Ronaldo had missed one in extra-time, to send his side into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a night of high drama in Frankfurt.

The country’s record goal scorer had seen several free-kicks fly off target, but looked set to add to his tally of 130 international goals from the penalty spot, until goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a brilliant save at full stretch.

Ronaldo was in tears during the brief interval, having to be consoled by his team-mates before returning to the pitch for the final 15 minutes, something which Hamann said was unacceptable.

“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.”

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After slotting home his spot kick during the shootout, Ronaldo had a lowkey celebration, appearing to offer some sort of apology towards his fans, another decision questioned by the former German international.

“I don’t know what he wanted to tell us by his reaction,” Hamann said. “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.”

Hamann said the argument that Ronaldo has changed his game, from being focused on goals to becoming more of a team player, didn’t carry much weight after his performance against Slovenia.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was lauded for slipping the ball in to team-mate Bruno Fernandes to score in the group stage victory over Turkey, but the pundit says that selfless approach was short-lived.

“I fell into the trap of Ronaldo the team player,” he said.

“I think he probably would have squared (to Fernandes against Turkey) it 10 or 15 years ago because I think he has to square that ball. I think he quite enjoyed it as he contributed to the goal and team’s success, but you almost had a feeling he thought, ‘I’ve been a team player for three games, it’s not really my thing’.

“He took every shot on (against Slovenia).

“He has a responsibility towards the team, the staff, the fans, the nation. He just thinks it is about himself.”