Cristiano Ronaldo has likely bid adieu to his chances at winning the title at his last European Championship.
In a nail-biting penalty kick shootout on Friday, France beat Portugal, 5-3, to advance to the semis after the match went scoreless through extra time.
Portugal star Pepe, 41, broke out into tears following the loss, crying on his captain’s shoulder.
A composed Ronaldo consoled Pepe, the oldest player in Euro Championship history, who is also rumored to retire this season, as the pair made their final exit from the Euro stage.
Pepe has not confirmed if he will continue to play after this season.
“We need to go through this moment of our loss, which is very painful,” Pepe said afterward, per the Associated Press.
However, earlier this week, Ronaldo said it would be his final Euro.
“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” the all-time leading goal scorer across all major competitions said Tuesday.
“But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion… it’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
The 39-year-old, competing in his career’s sixth Euro tournament, scored the first penalty for Portugal during the shootout.
Portugal substitute Joao Felix had the only miss, leaving the door open for Theo Hernàndez to score the winning goal for France.
Ronaldo has had plenty of positive experiences in the Euros, including Portugal winning the title in 2016 as it defeated France in the final.
He also reached the final with Portugal in 2004 and the semis in 2012.
It is not yet clear if Ronaldo will continue playing for his country through to the 2026 World Cup.
The victory ended France’s losing streak in shootouts after losing in them at their last two major tournaments, including the 2021 Euro Championship and 2022 World Cup final.
France will move on to play Spain in the semifinals.
“Everything is too raw,” coach Roberto Martinez said when he was asked about it it indeed was Ronaldo’s last game for Portugal. “We are suffering a defeat as a team — there are no individual decisions at this point.”
