Roberto Martinez came to the defence of Joao Felix after his missed penalty resulted in Portugal’s exit from Euro 2024 and what seems the last time players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe would play at the European Championship.
Nothing could separate Martinez’s team and France following their goalless affair after 120 minutes and Felix’s penalty – which was the only miss of the shootout – came off the post with the battle from 12 yards ending 5-3.
However, the Portugal gaffer insisted fingers were not to be pointed as he blamed the penalty on badluck.
“I can tell you that the whole squad was supporting each other and only players who never shoot a penalty never miss,” Martinez said.
“Joao has great control of the inside game, he worked hard to be there and this penalty is bad luck.”
The defeat likely signals the end of Ronaldo’s 21-year international career, as he has admitted his record sixth Euros tournament would be his final one.
The 39-year-old netted Portugal’s first shootout kick but was also pointed out for missing what could be labelled as their best chance of the night.
After France’s victory, centre-back Pepe could not hold back the emotion as he was pictured sobbing into Ronaldo’s arms, with the curtain also most certainly also coming down on the 41-year-old defender’s international career.
“Pepe is everything he showed in the tournament, not just during the matches, but the way he works through training sessions, the way he supports his colleagues, his commitment,” Martinez added.
“And his tears are tears of frustration. Because when you play against the better opponents, there’s no tears. The tears are there because it’s hard to accept that tonight with our performance, we will drop by the wayside.
“But other than that, Pepe is a role model in Portuguese football and what he did tonight and during the tournament will stay with us, with the next generations.”
