A major blow. Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo was carried off the field in a stretcher after he injured his knee at the Euro 2016 Final tournament against France on Sunday, July 10.
The superstar athlete, 31, was forced to exit the game at Stade de France in Paris after his left knee collided with France mid-fielder Dimitri Payet.
Ronaldo immediately collapsed to the ground, clutching his knee and screaming out in pain with tears streaming down his face. Portugal medical staff bandaged the star’s knee, and he returned to the game but was ultimately unable to continue.
Twenty-four minutes into the match, with the score still at 0-0, the handsome Portugal captain slumped down on the ground once again and was carried off the field on a stretcher.
As teammate Ricardo Quaresma took the field in Ronaldo’s place, the athlete cried out in pain, covering his face with his hands.
The 6-foot-1 forward is the first player to ever score in four European Championship tournaments in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016, according to ESPN FC. He has also scored the most Euro goals in Portuguese history and has played more games at the tournament than any other player.
Portugal was still able to emerge the victors of the 2016 European Championship tournament as they defeated France 1-0 in extra time. According to SB Nation, even Ronaldo “was on his feet celebrating” despite his injury as his team won the trophy.
