“The caption was simply intended as a play on words, which we have done many times before on Match Of The Day analysis graphics. There was no offence intended toward Cristiano Ronaldo,” the statement read.

Portugal will remember the Euro 2024 as another golden opportunity squandered to get silverware with arguably one of the most talented bunch of footballers, but for their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, the tournament will remain as a case of whether the 39-year-old forward has stretched his international career one tournament too long.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said there was no blame to cast after Joao Felix missed the penalty that resulted in their exit from the European Championship and likely brought the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo's international career.

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will have to come up with his best against France in the quarterfinal of the ongoing Euro 2024. The 39-year-old, who is yet to find the net for Portugal in this edition, has taken the most number of shots by any player and has already missed a penalty in a Round of 16 fixture against Slovenia. Against a formidable France, Ronaldo will have to step up, like he did in Portugal’s triumphant campaign in 2016, for a spot in the last four. 

Ronaldo, now 39 and playing at his sixth European Championship, has struggled at the tournament in Germany and his inability to find the net so far has raised doubts as to whether he still deserves a starting spot in Roberto Martinez's team.

France and Portugal renew their European Championship rivalry on Friday night in a quarterfinal showdown in which almost all of the focus will be on the two captains, Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It is an honour. Everyone knows about my admiration for Cristiano," France captain Mbappe, 25, told reporters on the eve of the Euro quarterfinal game against Portugal.

Football fans in Bangladesh will wake up bright and early today and stay up way past their usual bedtime, enjoying three mouthwatering knockout matches across two continents in a dream weekend of international football.

Kylian Mbappe leads France into Friday's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Portugal having yet to find his best form at the tournament after months of speculation about his club future and then the broken nose which overshadowed his team's opening game.

A tearful Ronaldo being embraced and comforted by team mates after missing a penalty in extra time that could have helped Portugal secure a spot in the quarter-finals before a shootout win is a cathartic image that stunned fans around the world.

“It’s certainly my last Euro,” said the 39-year-old, who is competing at his sixth Euro and 11th major international tournament overall, said after the match in Frankfurt.

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo, playing at a record sixth Euros, is yet to strike in three appearances -- if he manages to, the 39-year-old will become the oldest ever goalscorer at the tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo had the most attempts on target and hosts Germany made best use of their chances in the first round of pool matches at the European Championship, while a forward from Romania has been the quickest across the grass so far.

Youngster Francisco Conceicao snatched Portugal a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their Euro 2024 Group F opener on Tuesday just minutes after coming off the bench.

The veteran forward, 39, says his team "deserve" to win another major international trophy to add to their singular triumph, at Euro 2016.

All 51 matches will be played across 10 stadiums, marking Germany's organisation of another international football event after the 2006 World Cup.

"The Portuguese expect a lot from Portugal, there's no margin for error, none, they always want Portugal to win because of the generation, the talent there is," said Ronaldo.

"Cristiano had very consistent performances at his club. There is no doubt that he is an incredible scorer," Martinez told reporters on Friday ahead of their friendly match against Croatia on Saturday.

Almost 20 years have passed between his first Portugal goal against Greece at Euro 2004 and his most recent versus Lichtenstein in November 2023 -- with the nation's 2016 Euros triumph the pinnacle of his international career.

Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal battled past Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr 5-4 in a penalty shootout on Friday to win the Saudi Cup and claim the domestic double, leaving the Portuguese forward in tears at the end of the drama.