Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart rate was at its lowest right before taking his first penalty for Portugal during Euro 2024 knockout clash vs Slovenia

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart rate during Portugal’s Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Slovenia clash was at it’s lowest before he took his first penalty, new data has revealed. 

Portugal booked their place in the quarter-finals after winning via a penalty shootout thanks to goalkeeper Diego Costa’s heroics. 

However, Roberto Martinez’s men had the opportunity to take the lead in extra-time when they were awarded a penalty after Diogo Jota was fouled inside the box. 

Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty as he seeked to score his first goal in this year’s tournament after enduring a frustrating evening. 

The 39-year-old was not fazed by the pressure as his heart-rate was under 100bpm, his lowkest throughout the night, according to data provided by WHOOP. 

The 39-year-old was however denied by Jan Oblak, who produced a stunning save 

The Al-Nassr forward was however denied by a superb save from Slovenia’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who dived to his left. 

Ronaldo’s heart rate continued to rise from that point until he took the first penalty in the shootout, which he eventually dispatched.

Bruno Fernandes then stepped up to take the second penalty and also scored, causing Ronaldo’s heartbeat to drop to around 125bpm. 

Costa went on to save his third penalty of the night and Ronaldo was understandably more confident Portugal would win. 

His heart rate then jumped to over 170bpm as Bernardo Silva was about to take the penalty which eventually sealed victory for Martinez’s side. 

Ronaldo, as he usually does during matches, was wearing the WHOOP 4.0 strap under some wrist strapping. 

‘Sometimes it’s hard and difficult to score penalties,’ Ronaldo told Portuguese broadcaster RTP after the match, getting emotional again. ‘I’ve scored more than 200 penalties in my career. Sometimes it’s a mess.’ 

He added: ‘We showed the enthusiasm that we still have to play, to have fun, to give joy to the fans and that’s it, this is our life,’ he said after it was all over, close to midnight in Frankfurt.