Euro 2016 - Cristiano Ronaldo's tears of sadness turn to joy over Portugal win

It was not the first time Cristiano Ronaldo put his hands to his face and tried to control his emotions yesterday evening. The captain of Portugal have been knocked out cruelly from the European Championship 2016 final with a knee injury in the first half, walked along the touchline to take some time alone, as the hysteria exploded around him.

The 31-year-old Real Madrid superstar carried his country's hopes into the final against hosts France in paris, not only as Portugal's captain but also the player who posed the greatest threat to Didier Deschamps' side.

Ronaldo's focus was obvious from the moment he walked out into the warm summer sunshine at stade de France late on Sunday evening.

He had made a quiet start when the incident that changed his match took place in the 17th minute, Payet getting a touch on the ball before crashing into Ronaldo, catching the Portuguese's left knee with his right knee.

Ronaldo rolled around while banging the grass but did not get the attention of the previous game, soon quickly became apparent that he had suffered a significant problem.

He received lengthy teatment on the pitch and back in action, although clearly in declining body condition. He made one run but was not at any pace, and then waving to the bench to signalling for help.

He taken off for a second round of treatment and came back again as a player who has a real physical courage and tried somehow to get through the pain with a severe knee bandaged. It was not succeed. Ronaldo finally conceded defeat in the 25th minute and collapsed to the ground.

Out the field, Ronaldo was given a sincerely sympathetic applause by fans of France, putting partisanship to one side to share in the disappointment.

And as we all know, finally, Portugal beat France to win the Euro 2016 final with Eder's extra-time goal.

Having broken down twice as he had tried to get rid of the injury, and then he realized his efforts in vain, Ronaldo shed tears for the third time when referee Mark Clattenburg blew the final whistle to signify Portugal is the European Champion.

His journey up the steps should had given a pain in his injury, but he looked as if he was floating in the air as he lifted the trophy amid jubilant scenes and fireworks.



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