For all the allegations of his massive ego, Cristiano Ronaldo repeatedly dispels the myth in his interactions with fans. Ronaldo offered a repeat insight into the classy way he treats his fans, by taking a selfie with a pitch invader, right after Portugal’s 0-0 draw with Austria that left them in a precarious position in Group F of the 2016 UEFA Euros.
Ronaldo endured a miserable night, missing a penalty in the 78th minute, after spending a majority of the game being frustrated, with none of his 10 shots finding the target. The Portuguese frontman’s misery after the penalty miss continued, having a goal from a free-kick ruled out for offside, but not before Ronaldo and most of the Portugal bench had begun their celebrations.
Given the disappointment that was etched on Ronaldo’s face at the final whistle, it would have been understandable for the Real Madrid striker to brusquely brush off a fan who had invaded the pitch to grab a selfie with the Portuguese superstar. Indeed, security personnel had caught up with the invader and were ready to usher him off the pitch.
Ronaldo, however, prevented the security personnel from taking him off immediately, pausing to happily pose for a selfie, moments after enduring one his worst nights for the Portugal national team.
Here’s footage of the incident:
Ronaldo’s penalty miss confirms his worst season from the spot
Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty miss was the biggest talking point of Portugal’s 0-0 draw with Austria, that left the Real Madrid striker’s national side floundering in third spot in Group F of UEFA Euro 2016, with one game left to play. Ronaldo’s miss further compounded his miserable season with set-pieces, with this being the fifth penalty he has missed this season.
Ronaldo has missed the last four penalties of the five he has taken, excluding those taken in shootouts. Indeed, the last time Ronaldo stepped up to the spot, it was the UEFA Champions League final, and his celebration of the trophy-winning spot-kick has quickly become one of his most iconic images.
The Portuguese fans were hoping for something similar, and Ronaldo almost got it right, sending the keeper the wrong way, but watching in agony as his strike cannoned off the post. That made it 5 misses from the spot this season for Ronaldo – he has never missed more than three.
Ronaldo’s misery will be compounded in the knowledge that he has become the first Portuguese player to ever miss a penalty in a major international tournament.
