DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — During a European Championship match between Portugal and Turkey on Saturday, four fans entered the field to take selfies with Cristiano Ronaldo, leading to chaotic scenes.
Ronaldo scored no goals and provided one assist in Portugal’s 3-0 win over Turkey that secured a place in the round of 16 at the European Championships on Saturday.
Of the four selfie-chasing pitch invaders for Ronaldo, only one seemed to be successful.
Ronaldo had no problem having his photo taken with a young boy who evaded stewards to get onto the pitch at the Westfalenstadion in the 69th minute and then pulled out his mobile phone.
The fan ran off before being stopped and led away – but not before waving to the crowd.
Selfie with Ronaldo ✅
Missing 4/5 folders ✅
Gets a pat on the shoulder as soon as he comes out ✅pic.twitter.com/Y0pGZcAAOW
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) 22 June 2024
About 15 minutes later, an older fan tried the same thing, but Ronaldo threw his hands in the air and turned his back to the spectator, who apparently grabbed Ronaldo’s arm.
The second pitch invader who entered the pitch to take a photo with Ronaldo: pic.twitter.com/5SRmtAzbeU
— George (@StokeyyG2) 22 June 2024
Even more chaos ensued when a third intruder appeared in injury time and ran past Ronaldo, who was defending a corner.
Another phone-waving fan wearing a Portugal shirt reached Ronaldo shortly after the final whistle, and security had to hold back another person who tried to confront one of the world’s most famous sports stars as he left the field with his teammates.
The security guard thought Goncalo Ramos was a pitch invader 💀pic.twitter.com/Nn29r7obhC
— JBT (@UtdJBT) 22 June 2024
“This is worrying,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez. “Today we were lucky that the fans’ intentions were good.”
“If these intentions are wrong, the players are exposed. I don’t think something like this should happen on a football pitch.”
“That’s the price you pay to be so recognised in the world of football,” said Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo’s Portuguese teammate.
Portugal was able to build on its opening victory against the Czech Republic with 2-1 and qualify for Group F early.
