Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Portugal, Euro 2024
The BBC has issued a public statement responding to a backlash from fans over a caption used on screen to describe Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024.
Ronaldo's Portugal were eliminated from the competition on Friday night after losing to France on penalties at the quarter-final stage.
It was the second match in a row involving Portugal that had gone to penalties, with their round of 16 clash with Slovenia also going to spot-kicks after a goalless stalemate.
During that match, Al Nassr superstar Ronaldo broke down in tears after missing a penalty in extra-time and needed the support of several teammates to regain his composure.
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Ronaldo eventually recovered to score his spot-kick in the shootout, with Portugal progressing after goalkeeper Diogo Costa made three saves for his side.
The BBC received criticism from Ronaldo supporters after the match after using the caption 'Misstiano Ronaldo' on their highlights of the game.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea and England captain John Terry branded the caption a 'disgrace' on social media.
The BBC has now issued a statement about the caption, insisting that it was merely a light-hearted joke.
The statement read (via The Sun): "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.
"In fact, throughout the programme we spoke favourably about Ronaldo on a number of occasions, including:
"1. In the pre-match build-up when Jose Fonte highlighted Ronaldo’s dedication to training, saying it’s why 'he's one of the best-ever'.
"2. At half-time Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer did a long analysis run on Ronaldo's movement, praising it as 'absolutely fantastic'.
"3. After the penalty shoot-out, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both referenced Ronaldo's courage and self-belief to step forward and take a penalty.
"At no point were the pundits overly critical of Ronaldo and in the context of the programme overall, the tone was consistently respectful towards him.
"However, we appreciate some viewers were unhappy with the graphic and the feedback has been passed on to the production team to help inform their work going forward."
Explaining why he broke down in tears after his penalty miss, Ronaldo told Sport TV: "Even the strongest people have their days, I was down and I was sad because the team needed me.
"Initial sadness and joy at the end, that's what football brings, inexplicable moments, from the eighth minute to the 80th, that's what happens.
"I could have given the national team the advantage, but I didn't manage it, [Jan] Oblak saved, I didn't miss once during the year, and when I needed it most Oblak saved."
Ronaldo later confirmed that Euro 2024 would be his final European Championship, days before his side's elimination at the hands of France.
