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June 27, 2024
An enthusiastic fan leaped from the crowd and came dangerously close to hitting Cristiano Ronaldo in a dramatic incident during Portugal’s European Championship against Georgia on Wednesday.
The fan leaped over the players’ tunnel at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen as Ronaldo made his way to the locker room after the game. A quick-acting security steward stepped in to shield the football icon. In contrast, additional security staff rushed toward the fan, who tumbled out of view after the jump.
Ronaldo, looking startled but calm, paused momentarily before continuing, unharmed. Despite the unsettling scene, Portugal focused on their 2-0 defeat to Georgia. This surprising loss raised concerns about their form heading further into the tournament, casting doubt on their strategy and ability to compete against more formidable opponents. This defeat affected their morale and highlighted potential gameplay weaknesses that must be addressed if they hope to advance successfully.
Portugal’s Football Association acknowledged the event but did not offer additional comments. In contrast, UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, acknowledged it and confirmed that the fan was unharmed. Local Gelsenkirchen police clarified that the event fell outside their jurisdiction, leaving questions about crowd control unanswered.
Ronaldo, one of the world’s most recognizable sports icons, commands an enormous global following, with 632 million Instagram followers and nearly 112 million on X. His star power continues to attract fan enthusiasm, sometimes to risky levels. This wasn’t an isolated case, as fans regularly try to get close to him, often breaching security.
During Portugal’s prior match against Turkey in Dortmund, Ronaldo was confronted by four fans on the field seeking selfies. In a rare moment of tolerance, he posed with one young supporter who bypassed stewards in the 69th minute. Still, frustration showed when more fans approached him afterward. Despite his composure, repeated fan interactions have raised concerns over his safety, especially as more incidents unfold.
Following that match, Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, voiced growing worries about Ronaldo’s security, remarking that the forward for Al Nassr was lucky to be unharmed. Martinez stressed the need for tighter security measures, especially as Ronaldo’s fame shows no sign of waning. With such incidents becoming more frequent, protecting one of football’s biggest names has become an increasingly pressing issue.
“We all love a fan that recognizes the big stars and the big icons in their minds,” he said. “But you can understand it was a very, very difficult moment — if those intentions are wrong, the players are exposed and we need to be careful with that.”
UEFA emphasized that stadium safety and security is a “top priority” and announced that additional measures would be implemented to prevent fans from entering the field for selfies.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, is regarded as one of football’s all-time greats, alongside Lionel Messi, Pelé, and Diego Maradona. A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and a six-time Champions League champion, he currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, where he reportedly earns up to $200 million annually.
Ronaldo is the first player to compete in six European Championships and holds the record for the most goals at the tournament, with 14. Although he has yet to score at this year’s competition, he could break another record by becoming the senior player with a score at a Euros, surpassing Luka Modrić’s recent milestone for Croatia at 38 years and 289 days.
Despite the surprising loss to Georgia, Portugal advanced to the Euro 2024 knockout stage. It will face Slovenia in the round of 16 in Frankfurt on Monday.
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