- The players, aged 39 and 41, were probably playing their last European Championship.
- They spent several years playing together at both Real Madrid and Portugal.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was seen consoling an emotional Pepe after Portugal’s defeat to France at Euro 2024.
Portugal drew 0-0 in both regular time and extra time but fell short in the penalty shoot-out, where João Félix’s miss proved vital as the only shot that did not go in.
Felix himself looked inconsolable as the French players celebrated, but the cameras focused on Ronaldo’s reaction, who was left in tears during the last-16 match against Slovakia.
After missing a penalty in that game – before scoring in the shoot-out – Ronaldo scored again in the shoot-out on Friday, but Felix’s miss, as well as the fact that France scored all their shots, meant his team were eliminated.
Ronaldo could be seen sharing an emotional moment with team-mate Pepe, 41, after the conclusion of the game, and both players are now ready to bring the curtain down on their European Championship campaigns.
Cristiano Ronaldo (right) consoled an emotional Pepe after Portugal’s defeat at Euro 2024
Pepe was seen sobbing in his captain’s arms after his team lost to France on penalties.
João Félix’s penalty proved vital and the veterans could only watch as France celebrated.
Pepe surprised many at the tournament with his performances in the latter years of his career, having turned 41 in February and having reported that he was considering retirement.
“We have to get over this moment of our defeat, which is very painful,” said Pepe after the match, in which he helped his team maintain another clean sheet alongside Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.
He has made 140 career appearances for Portugal since his debut in 2007, and Ronaldo is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 212.
The two played together for several years at Real Madrid: Pepe joined in 2007 and left in 2017, and Ronaldo played there between 2009 and 2018.
It was a bitter end to a time playing together that saw the two stars win a host of trophies together, with Pepe leaving it all on the pitch after the end of the match.
He was seen sobbing on Ronaldo’s shoulder, and the Portugal captain managed a slight smile as he comforted his team-mate while France celebrated.
Pepe said of the hug: “Ronaldo’s hug, yes, means a lot. It’s not the right moment because it’s very painful, (but) we are like brothers and we will talk about it later.”
The pair won the European Championship together in 2016 while playing for their countries, and their future remains unclear.
Ronaldo, however, has confirmed he will not play any more Euros, saying earlier this week: “It’s certainly the last Euros, of course it is. But I’m not excited about it. I’m excited about everything that goes into football, about the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, the passion of the people.
“It’s not about leaving football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
The stars enjoyed several successful years together at both Real Madrid and Portugal.
Ronaldo has confirmed that the competition in Germany will be his last Euro Cup
The striker failed to score at Euro 2024 and has been the subject of much criticism for his performances at the tournament.
He has started all of his side’s attacking games in Germany, but it has been suggested that Roberto Martinez’s side’s attacking play has often faltered due to Ronaldo’s involvement.
The attack also consisted of Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Bruno Fernandes, with Diogo Jota and Félix in reserve.
Martinez’s team scored five goals in two games in the tournament and kept three clean sheets.
