Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to depart the Euro 2016 final after just 25 minutes due to a left knee injury.
The injury actually took place within the first ten minutes of play, when Ronaldo collided with France’s Dimitri Payet in a rather ugly knee-on-knee collision that saw his knee twist unnaturally.
Saying Ronaldo faked his injury? See photo, realize he fought to come back on TWICE and hang ur head in shame. #POR pic.twitter.com/ZFEyBUlJ8r
— Nick (@Nick28T) July 10, 2016
Ronaldo twice attempted to return to the game and play through the injury after hobbling off, but the Portuguese superstar was simply unable to proceed and was subbed off on a stretcher in the 25th minute. The forward was in tears when he went down, realizing the apparent severity of the injury.
Cristiano Ronaldo in pain after going off a second time due to injury. He returns trying to play through it. pic.twitter.com/9hWaNQOJ8W
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2016
Ronaldo is regarded as one of the two best players in the sport, but he has never led Portugal to a trophy in an international tournament. Ronaldo lost the Euro 2004 final with Portugal as well, and he was understandably distraught to be denied the chance to play out Sunday’s contest.
Interestingly, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both saw their respective summer tournaments end in tears. It remains to be seen if Ronaldo’s teammates can pick him up and win the final without him.
