Silva defends Ronaldo’s free-kick miss

Portugal midfielder, Bernardo Silva has reacted to criticisms meted out to his national team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.

There were talks about Ronaldo taking free-kicks for Portugal ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat to France.

During Portugal’s Round of sixteen clash against Slovenia, Ronaldo was unable to convert a few free-kicks into goal contributions.

The Al-Nassr superstar also missed a crucial penalty in the 105th minute in extra time and against France in the quarter-finals and could not find the back of the net.

Talking about Ronaldo taking free kicks for his country at the tournament, Silva said as quoted by O Jogo; “I’m not going to say, because I don’t know yet. And if I knew it wouldn’t say… [laughs]

We realize that criticism is part of the business, that’s why we make so much money. We do not complain, it is for good and evil our work. It is the passion.

“In June, everyone knows a little bit of football, everyone imagines himself as a coach. We accept that. Cristiano is human, he felt emotion when he missed the penalty.

“It happens, it’s acceptable. Sometimes you react in ways you don’t expect. He felt like he could have done better. In my opinion, it’s a great penalty and a great defence of Oblak. It’s the way to deal with emotions,” added the 29-year-old midfielder.

Ronaldo 39, a former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United superstar, did not score in Euro 2024 but provided one assist.