Cristiano Ronaldo had a close call at the European Championship on Wednesday when a fan jumped from the stands to get close to him. The incident occurred as Ronaldo was heading to the locker room after Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Georgia at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
A video shows the fan leaping over the players’ tunnel, but a safety steward quickly intervened, shielding Ronaldo and other security staff rushed to apprehend the fan.
Ronaldo, seemingly unfazed, stopped momentarily but appeared unharmed. The incident highlights the risks faced by high-profile athletes like Ronaldo, who has a massive global following. UEFA and the Portuguese Football Federation acknowledged the incident, with UEFA emphasizing the importance of safety and security in stadiums.
This isn’t the first time Ronaldo has been approached by overzealous fans during the tournament. In Portugal’s previous match against Turkey, four fans invaded the field seeking selfies with the star.
While Ronaldo obligingly posed with one young fan, he looked frustrated by subsequent approaches. Coach Roberto Martinez expressed concerns about Ronaldo’s security, noting that players are vulnerable to harm if fans’ intentions are wrong.
UEFA has pledged to deploy additional safety measures to prevent such incidents, recognizing the importance of player safety. Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, continues to break records and make history in the sport. Despite the loss to Georgia, Portugal advanced to the knockout phase and will face Slovenia in the round of 16 on Monday.