LoTradeCoin Wealth Hub

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't going to let a quick crying jag keep him from leading Portugal to victory in the knockout round of the 2024 Euros.

Playing in his record sixth European Championship, the 39-year-old soccer superstar dissolved into tears after missing a penalty kick in extra time versus Slovenia. His teammates consoled the fiery veteran as he walked down the pitch, overcome with emotion but suspecting his night wasn't over yet.

Sure enough, with the shootout score still 0-0, Ronaldo was called upon again to come through for the national team. 

On his second try, he showed why he's a four-time Golden Boot and five-time Ballon d'Or winner, not to mention one of the highest-paid athletes on the planet.

Ronaldo's kick sailed into the back of the goal, the first of his team's three penalty shots to go in, sending Portugal into the quarterfinals.

But even the seasoned TV commentators were a bit shocked to see Ronaldo so emotional, the athlete more inclined to get a little hot under the collar or rip his shirt off in victory than shed tears mid-game.

And, no one could predict how the missed shot would affect his mindset when he stepped up again.

As it so happened, he was smiling by the end of the night, his tears long-since dried, though his flash of vulnerability may prove to be one of the lingering images of the tournament.

"At first I was sad, and now I'm overjoyed," he told a reporter after the match (through a translator). "This is football. This is what football gives you. You cannot explain it, this goes from eight to 80. We had the chance to go ahead, I failed...I don't know if I hit it right or not, but now when I needed it most I failed, after...having failed before on penalty kicks. So now I feel sad, but happy as well."

But, he continued, "it's important to enjoy progressing. We're doing a great job, we're here till the bitter end...We deserve this. Slovenia defended throughout the game and I think we're all to be congratulated, especially our goalkeeper." (Indeed, Diogo Costa will be getting his congratulations for days.) 

Portugal will play France in its seventh trip to the Euros quarterfinals in eight years.

And while Ronaldo's day job isn't based in Europe anymore, get to know more Premier League footballers right here:

Everton's Andre Gomes doesn't lose concentration during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

Everton's Lucas Digne  makes his feelings known amid the 2019 Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Oh la la! Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette is mighty fine as he celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg match in 2019.

We love a supportive sports star! Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea applauds fans following a victory in 2019.

We love to watch them run! N'Golo Kanté of Chelsea is all business during this Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City.

Well, hello there, Son Heung-Min! The South Korean professional footballer for Tottenham Hotspur looks on during one of the 2019 International Champions Cup matches.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is sultry as he takes in the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.

Thick thighs save lives, right? Wolverhampton Wanderers player Adama Traore is toned in this action shot from a 2019 match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta shows love to the fans following a face-off between Watford FC and Chelsea FC in 2019.

Watford's Adrian Mariappa is as striking as a Roman statue! Just take a look at this photo him from a 2018 match between Leicester City and Watford FC.

Everton's Brazilian striker Richarlison watches as the action unfolds in front of him at English Premier League football match between Everton and Brighton Hove & Albion in 2020.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool looks like a superstar in this action shot from a match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2019.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero holds the match ball following the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City in January 2020.

Shirts vs. skins? Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates shirtless after scoring his team's second goal during the Liverpool FC vs. Manchester United match in January 2020.

Arsenal's Hector Bellerin thinks of a strategy amid the Arsenal FC vs. Everton FC face-off in February 2020.

Arsenal's Dani Ceballos is mid-run in this pic from the Arsenal FC vs. West Ham United match in March 2020.

We spy a six-pack! Chelsea's Olivier Giroud flashes his toned tummy during a Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Norwich City in 2020.

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy heads for the ball while playing against  Arsenal FC in July 2020.

Pablo Mari of Arsenal brings his all for a training session in June 2020.

Paulo Gazzaniga of Middlesbrough keeps a serious expression amid the FA Cup Third Round match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020.

Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek has his eye on the prize during the Chelsea FC and Watford FC match in May 2019.

Christian Pulisic of Chelsea practically takes flight after scoring three goals during a pre-season match in July 2019.

Callum Wilson of Bournemouth oozes strength after scoring the opening goal during the September 2019 match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton FC.

Aston Villa's Henri Lansbury is off like a flash in this picture from the September 2019 match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa.

We're giving Marcus Rashford of Manchester United a thumbs up!

At 18 years old, Mason Greenwood is already a favorite among Manchester United fans.

You'll want to know this Chelsea goalkeeper! The Spanish pro athlete makes a splash on and off the field.