Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction against Slovenia was ‘human’ and ‘acceptable’, says Bernardo Silva (Picture: Getty)
Bernardo Silva has jumped to Cristiano Ronaldo’s defence ahead of Portugal’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with France and insists the forward’s tearful meltdown against Slovenia was ‘totally acceptable’.
Ronaldo, featuring in his sixth and final European Championships, went through a rollercoaster of emotions as Portugal progressed past Slovenia on penalties in a nervy last-16 contest previously.
The 39-year-old has cut a frustrated figure for much of this summer’s tournament and had a spot-kick denied by Jan Oblak before redeeming himself from 12 yards later on in a one-sided shootout.
Pictures at the halfway stage of extra time showed Ronaldo in floods of tears, with the legendary ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid attacker having to be consoled by his fellow countrymen as they formed a huddle in Frankfurt.
Ahead of this evening’s heavyweight encounter in Hamburg between the Portuguese and France, a repeat of the 2016 final, there have even been some calls for Roberto Martinez to drop an out-of-sorts Ronaldo from his starting XI.
But Ronaldo is expected to continue his run in the side to take centre stage alongside Kylian Mbappe, who many see as the heir apparent to the veteran Portugal international.
Asked about the intriguing match-up between Mbappe and Ronaldo on the eve of the clash, Portugal midfielder Silva said: ‘First of all, it’s not about Kylian and Cristiano. It’s about Portugal and France.
Ronaldo broke down in tears after having an extra-time penalty saved by Oblak (Picture: Getty)
‘But they’re definitely two unbelievable players in different stages of their careers.
‘Cristiano is one of the best players that has ever played the game and Kylian still going through the beginning or middle of his career.
‘But the most important thing is that it’s not about them, it’s about Portugal and France and Portugal, we as a team, want to qualify for the semi-finals.’
The 39-year-old has been wayward with his free-kicks in Germany (Picture: Getty)
Martinez has come under pressure to haul Ronaldo off free-kick duties in Germany, given the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored with just one of his 60 attempts for Portugal at major tournaments.
But Silva refused to give any hints over Portugal’s plan against France and said the criticism Ronaldo had faced over the last few weeks was simply ‘part of the business’.
Asked who will take Portugal’s free-kicks in Hamburg, the Manchester City star replied: ‘Huh, who will take the free-kicks tomorrow [chuckles]… well I’m not going to say that.
‘First, because I don’t know yet and then even if I knew I wouldn’t tell you because I’m not going to tell you the plan.’
Manchester City midfielder Silva defended Ronaldo ahead of Portugal’s clash with France (Picture: Getty)
Silva added: ‘We understand it [the criticism], it’s part of the business. It’s the reason why we earn so much money and we are able to give our family and friends a better life.
‘So we don’t complain about the criticism, it’s for the good and for the bad, it’s our job, it’s the way that people live the game, it’s the passion.
‘Everyone knows a little bit about football when it comes to June, when a World Cup or a Euros arrives, everything thinks they are a manager. We get that and we accept that.
‘Regarding Cristiano, we are humans and he felt emotional when he missed the penalty. I think that’s totally acceptable.
‘Sometimes you react in ways that you don’t expect and you want to help the team. He felt that he could have done better in that moment.
‘In my opinion, it’s a very good penalty and a great save from Oblak and then he cries for a bit which is how humans deal with emotions sometimes.
‘I don’t see any reason for people to discuss about it but obviously people will because that is the business.’
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