It looked to be all but over for Real Madrid and Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo as he was taken off the pitch in tear on a stretcher within the first half an hour of the Euro 2016 final. But the night ended in ecstasy for CR7, as Portugal defeated France to win their first ever major tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed his greatest night in international football, as the Portuguese captain stood elated as his team defeated France without him to lift the European Championship trophy. Many thought the game was over after Ronaldo succumbed to injury following a foul on him by Dimitri Payet.
However tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy as Ronaldo rallied his team from the sidelines.
2 minutes of Ronaldo on the touchline. Watch and enjoy. pic.twitter.com/2q7tml6J5N
— ㅤ (@MartialTheMan) July 11, 2016
Sad vs Happy… UNBELIEVABLE MOMENT FOREVER #Euro2016Final #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/EPQCDilg7Q
— kannabiran (@kannabiran55) July 11, 2016
As much as I dislike Ronaldo, he deserves this moment.. What a player pic.twitter.com/jm0stdxapu
— Bryan Zambrana (@bryanzambrana99) July 11, 2016
He was a spectator for most of the #EURO2016Final, but Cristiano Ronaldo got his trophy. https://t.co/Im0A8ufKG0 pic.twitter.com/9nxYhJGFYI
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 11, 2016
Ronaldo as coach
1 Game
1 Trophy pic.twitter.com/xhgnzHH1xK— Portista (@FCPortoGlobal) July 11, 2016
The only player who gets injured and becomes the manager? #ronaldo pic.twitter.com/Smf9JAm7Xs
— Maggie Mousa (@magysaeed) July 11, 2016
This is what I’m talking about. Ronaldo told him to get back in the game pic.twitter.com/iKsjpjxXFt
— Portugal the Scammer (@AfricanKhaIeesi) July 11, 2016
“Viva Portugal!” Watch Ronaldo’s post final interview. You can see how much this was important for him… #POR pic.twitter.com/uw8bWECYFL
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) July 11, 2016
Ronaldo played the role of leader, and even the manager on the sidelines. However after the match there was a touching moment between the Portugal captain and his own mentor, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Cristiano Ronaldo embracing the man he calls his second father, Sir Alex Ferguson. #POR pic.twitter.com/x6GsMIts4d
— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) July 11, 2016
Great footage of when Sir Alex Ferguson met Ronaldo last night.#Ronaldo #MUFC #POR #EURO2016 #Euro2016Final pic.twitter.com/kFF4XIYlKo
— YNFA (@ynfafootball) July 11, 2016
The Euro 2016 win in France capped off another incredible season for Ronaldo. After having won the Champions League with Real Madrid, he rose to European glory once again. This time on the international front as he led from the front for Portugal, even when he couldn’t play. These triumphs will surely make him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or awards this year.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s season by numbers:
54 goals
6 hat-tricks
1 Champions League trophy
1 #EURO2016 trophyLegend. pic.twitter.com/uqDceXcmYz
— Football Hub (@RealFootballHub) July 11, 2016
Injury wont stop the warrior! #Ronaldo #Por pic.twitter.com/5vKYy9cBWb
— Born To Raise Hell (@Raisinghell144) July 11, 2016
