Audio By Carbonatix
Portugal winger Nani has revealed that his captain Cristiano Ronaldo demanded to take the last penalty against Spain in the Euro 2012 semi-final shootout.
Due to failed attempts from Joao Moutinho and Bruno Alves, the Real Madrid star was denied his opportunity to take part in the spot-kick drama, with the eventual winners progressing after Cesc Fabregas’ decisive goal sealed a 4-2 win.
The Manchester United man says there was no controversy over the selection and order of the penalty takers, but that Ronaldo wanted to to take the fifth kick.
“I don’t think there was any controversy or any mistakes,” the 25-year-old stated to the Times of India.
“Cristiano demanded the last penalty. I said to the coach I would accept any order. It didn’t seem to be a problem to me, because penalty shoot-outs are all about luck and we did not deserve to lose like that.”
Despite exiting at the last four, Nani feels that Paulo Bento’s men can be proud of their efforts in Poland and Ukraine.
“We obviously left the tournament disappointed because we came so close, but we can also have some satisfaction with what we did there.
“We really gave it all we had. We showed a lot of quality. In the end Spain simply had more luck than we did because when it comes to penalties that’s all it’s about.
“They are great champions but I think in the semi-final we deserved to beat them. So people in Portugal can be proud of the team.
“We are sad as we deserved to be in the final - but we went home with our heads held high,” he concluded.
Spain went on to beat Italy 4-0 in the final to claim their third major consecutive international trophy.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
GES warns against paying money for recruitment slots
4 minutes -
Interior Minister imposes curfew on 11 Gushegu communities amid rising tensions
21 minutes -
“Where power lies should not determine who is prosecuted” – Tsatsu Tsikata
53 minutes -
Harriet Nartey nominated for Antalya Diplomacy Forum in TĂĽrkiye
1 hour -
My siblings and I were blessed with parents who ignited our quest for knowledge – Tsatsu Tsikata
1 hour -
Mayekoo brings safe water to more than 500 pupils at Vakpo E.P. Primary school
1 hour -
2024 election result vindicates Mahama after 2020 petition dismissal – Tsatsu Tsikata
1 hour -
Firestorm destroys commercial containers in Accra
2 hours -
Gov’t imposes curfew on 11 Gushegu district communities after chieftaincy clashes
2 hours -
Gas supply disrupted after major fault at Ghana Gas Processing Plant
2 hours -
GPRTU welcomes fuel price cut, suspends planned fare increases
2 hours -
Bawumia is the most prepared and best leader for Ghana beyond 2028 – Abu Jinapor
2 hours -
UMB appoints Noble Eduamah as Group Head, Corporate Banking, strengthening leadership for long-term success
2 hours -
Ecosystems over silos: How Access Bank’s Fintech partnerships are redefining value in Ghana’s financial services sector
2 hours -
GFA hands over five vehicles to RFAs, technical units under FIFA Forward Programme
3 hours