"Nothing Short of Pathetic" – Cristiano Ronaldo Criticized for "Outrageous Selfishness" at Euro 2024 as Portugal Star "Lets His Team Down"
Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Portugal striker, has been harshly criticized for his perceived selfishness during Euro 2024. Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann labeled Ronaldo’s behavior as a poor example for young fans, urging them not to emulate the Portuguese legend.
Hamann Criticizes Ronaldo
- Called the Portugal star “selfish”
- Ronaldo failed to score in Euro 2024
What Happened? The Incident
The Al-Nassr star experienced a disappointing Euro 2024, failing to score in a major competition for the first time in his illustrious career. Portugal exited the tournament in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout loss to France【BBC】.
The Bigger Picture
During the penalty shootout, former Chelsea player Joao Felix missed a crucial spot-kick, leading to Portugal’s elimination. Instead of consoling the heartbroken Felix, Ronaldo controversially walked straight down the tunnel【ESPN】.
Hamann's Comments
Ronaldo’s actions drew sharp criticism from Hamann, who called him “selfish.” Speaking on RTE, the German midfielder said, “Everyone went over to Joao Felix, but Ronaldo didn’t bother—he went down the tunnel. Felix needed support from his captain, but instead, Ronaldo chose to walk away. It’s baffling how, after 22 years in the game, he still doesn’t grasp team dynamics”【The Guardian】.
Hamann continued, “Throughout the competition, Ronaldo’s behavior was one of the most outrageous displays of selfishness I’ve ever seen in a team sport. He played the last game against Georgia, even though Portugal had already won the group, and logged the most minutes among outfield players, despite not being up to par anymore”【Sky Sports】.
He added, “Ronaldo has millions of followers, many of them kids who look up to him. I want to tell these kids that behaving like this in society, at work, or in a team sport won’t lead to success; it will create problems. Ronaldo’s individualistic approach in a team game has been evident for the last 20 years, showcasing his incredible talent, but also highlighting his self-centeredness. He is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats, but his behavior during the tournament was nothing short of pathetic”【CNN】.
What's Next for Cristiano Ronaldo?
After the disappointing campaign in Germany, the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star is currently enjoying a vacation with his family. He is expected to return to Saudi Arabia later this month to join Al-Nassr for pre-season training【Fox Sports】.
