Cristiano Ronaldo ‘lucky’ not to come to harm after selfie-seekers confront him, coach says

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo ought to take into account himself fortunate to have come to no hurt after being confronted on the sphere by 4 supporters who wished selfies throughout a European Championship match on Saturday, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez mentioned.

The alarming string of safety breaches occurred within the second half of Portugal’s 3-0 win over Turkey in Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion.

Ronaldo was pleased to pose for a selfie with a younger fan who evaded stewards to get on the sphere within the 69th minute earlier than whipping out his cellphone.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo was clearly sad when two extra individuals tried to do the identical within the remaining minutes of the sport. Then one other individual — carrying a crimson Portugal jersey — acquired near the 39-year-old striker for {a photograph} moments after the ultimate whistle.

Two extra individuals then tried to confront Ronaldo as he walked off the sphere along with his teammates however have been held again by safety on these events.

“It’s a concern,” Martinez mentioned, “as a result of at present we have been fortunate that the intentions of the followers have been good.

“All of us love a fan that acknowledges the massive stars and the massive icons of their minds. All of us agree with that. However you’ll be able to perceive it was a really, very troublesome second — if these intentions are unsuitable, the gamers are uncovered and we must be cautious with that. I don’t suppose that ought to occur on a soccer pitch.”

Martinez mentioned it was necessary to ship a message to followers that this habits was not acceptable.

“It’s not the appropriate approach, you’re not going to get something out of it,” Martinez added. “And what you do might be the measures worsen for the longer term.

“It’s not good to get the gamers so uncovered when you may have individuals working on the pitch.”

Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo’s teammate and a scorer in opposition to Turkey, mentioned he was “probably not involved” concerning the supporters who acquired on the sphere.

“It’s only a bit annoying by way of having to cease the sport as a result of a fan enters the pitch,” Silva mentioned. “That’s the worth you pay for being so acknowledged on this planet of soccer.

“By way of feeling in peril, no. Not me personally.”

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024