Portugal will come back stronger, Ronaldo says after Euro 2020 exit

Cristiano Ronaldo

insisted that the European champions will come back stronger after their loss at the hands of

on Sunday.

failed to defend their title as Thorgan Hazard scored the winner for Belgium on Sunday in their Euro 2020’s Round of 16 tie.

Fernando Santos’ men had only managed to win one game out of four at Euro 2020, which was their fewest since 1984.

They have recorded 23 shots in their battle against Belgium, which is the highest tally without a goal at Euro 2020, with the Portuguese international having attempted four times himself.

Notwithstanding Portugal’s exit in the Round of 16, the Juventus star is proud of his team-mates and is confident that they will return stronger.

"

We didn't get the result we wanted and we left the race sooner than we wanted,"

he posted on his official

Instagram

page.

"But we are proud of our journey. We gave everything to renew the title of European Champions and this group proved that it can still give much joy to the Portuguese.

"Our fans were tireless in supporting the team from start to finish. We ran and fought for them, in order to live up to the trust they placed in us.

"It was not possible to get where we all wanted, but here is our sincere and profound thanks.

"Congratulations to Belgium and good luck to all the teams that remain in the competition. As for us, we will come back stronger."

Ronaldo will have to wait for three months before he is provided with the chance of breaking Ali Daei’s record as the top international goalscorer of all time.

However, having scored five goals, the Juve forward could end up being Euro 2020’s top scorer.

Santos’s men will go against the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup qualifier in September, whereas Belgium will take on Italy in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

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