Ronaldo: The Tears Behind the Trophies

1. Leaving Madeira at Age 11

When Ronaldo was 11, he left his home in Madeira to join Sporting Lisbon’s academy. It was super hard for him. He missed his family, felt lonely, and struggled with homesickness. His accent was mocked, and adapting to a new city/culture was painful.

2. His Father's Death (2005)

Ronaldo’s dad, José Dinis Aveiro, passed away when Ronaldo was 20. That loss deeply affected him. He has often said his father never got to see him reach his full potential. Ronaldo dedicates many of his successes to him.

3. Emotional Farewell from Sporting Lisbon (2003)

After impressing Manchester United scouts in a friendly, Sporting Lisbon let him go. The farewell was emotional—fans, teammates, and Ronaldo himself knew something big was changing. It meant leaving behind childhood, comfort, and familiarity.

4. Overcoming Criticism about His Physique

As a teenager, people criticized him for being skinny. But instead of quitting, he used that as fuel. He trained harder, spent a lot of time improving physical strength, speed, and technique. His growth was not just skillful but mental.

5. Missed Penalties, Pain Inside

Ronaldo has shared how he would lock himself in a dark room, skip food, replay missed opportunities in his mind—especially penalty misses. He didn’t just see them as failures; they were emotional trials that tested his self-worth, drive, and discipline.

6. Triumph with Portugal – Winning Euro 2016

Ronaldo was injured early in the final and had to leave the field. Yet, Portugal fought and won. Watching his teammates lift the trophy in pain, he cried. It was more than a win; it was fulfillment of a dream for his country, something he always wanted deeply. [2]

7. Becoming Real Madrid’s All-Time Top Scorer

Breaking Raul’s record was huge—not just for the record books, but emotionally. For Ronaldo, it symbolized the culmination of years of hard work, pressure, doubt, and perseverance. He celebrated that moment with tears and gratitude.

8. Recent Emotional Victory: Nations League 2025

Despite being 40, playing through injuries and criticism, Ronaldo led Portugal to win the UEFA Nations League in 2025. He scored his 138th international goal in a dramatic match vs Spain. He became emotional after the win, especially because of representing his country, having his family there, and what it meant for his fans.

9. Tears in Euro 2004 Final

At just 19, Ronaldo played in the Euro 2004 final with Portugal. They lost to Greece, and the young Ronaldo was seen crying on the pitch. It was a heartbreaking moment, but also the start of his growth into a leader.

10. Missing Penalty in Champions League Final (2008)

In the 2008 Champions League Final against Chelsea, Ronaldo missed a penalty in the shootout. Even though his team won, there was an emotional moment—he felt the pressure, the disappointment, and the weight of expectations.

11. Portugal’s Loss to Morocco in 2022 World Cup Quarter Final

Ronaldo was emotional after Portugal was eliminated. Many saw tears when he left the pitch, feeling the end of a dream yet again. At his age and stage, it meant a lot.

12. Forgetting Fame but Feeling the Loss

Ronaldo often speaks about how despite fame, awards, and money, the longing for his father, his early home in Madeira, and simple moments from childhood stay with him. These are less public but deeply emotional.

13. Euro 2024 Round of 16 vs Slovenia

He missed a crucial penalty in extra time and was very emotional. The penalty miss hurt him, and the fans saw a rare moment of vulnerability. But he bounced back in the shootout.

14. 900th Career Goal

When he scored his 900th career goal, Ronaldo dropped to his knees and cried. It was a huge milestone — not just in numbers, but in all the struggle, training, and sacrifices behind each goal.

15. Nations League Final vs Spain (2025)

At age 40, playing through injury, Ronaldo helped lead Portugal to a dramatic win over Spain in the Nations League final. The emotions ran deep—pride, relief, passion. He was visibly moved.

16. “Best Day of My Life” – 2008 Champions League

Despite a missed penalty in the shootout, Ronaldo described Man United’s Champions League victory over Chelsea as “the best day of my life.” That mix of joy and the memory of letting his team down but still celebrating victory showed his heart.

17. Crying After Missing a Penalty but Then Helping Win

In Euro 2024 vs Slovenia, Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 114th minute and was emotional. But later, in the shootout, he scored the first penalty and helped the team win. That story is powerful: sorrow + redemption.