- Cristiano Ronaldo narrowly avoided injury by a crazed fan jumping at him
- Supporter leapt down into tunnel, trying to get close to Portuguese star
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. New episodes released every day during the Euros
Cristiano Ronaldo narrowly avoided being kicked by a crazed fan who leapt at him from the stands after Portugal’s 2-0 defeat by Georgia on Wednesday night.
In footage from another supporter, Ronaldo looks nonplussed as he trudges off the pitch and pauses at the top of the steps while the man flies past him into the tunnel.
The fan jumped both feet first, though it seems likely he was trying to get close to the Portuguese superstar rather than inflict damage.
One steward at the game in an orange bib was escorting Ronaldo down and reacted quickly, moving in front of the player just as he saw the apparent threat.
Ronaldo then puts his hands out in front of him, gesturing ‘what was that?’
A fan in a red top jumped recklessly towards Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s defeat
It comes days after the former Man United, Real Madrid and Juventus man was seen shoving a pitch invader.
Ronaldo received much praise for taking a selfie with a young boy who ran onto the pitch late in the game during Portugal’s ‘3-0 win over Turkey.
But several fans entered the pitch in the closing stages of the game as they attempted to get close to Ronaldo.
Earlier in the game Ronaldo didn’t have time to engage with fans as he pushed away a supporter who had entered the pitch.
After Ronaldo pushed him away, the pitch invader was pounced upon by security, who dealt with him in a heavy-handed manner.
UEFA are set to launch an investigation into the scenes that saw Ronaldo approached by six pitch invaders.
Ronaldo was frustrated during the game and picked up a yellow card for dissent
Ronaldo slumped back in his seat after being substituted in Gelsenkirchen
Overzealous fans have always been a problem for the 39-year-old, who is one of the most famous people on the planet.
It has been a frustrating tournament so far for the prolific forward, who is yet to get off the mark. But Portugal still progressed to the last 16 of the tournament despite Wednesday’s disappointing loss.
Next they’ll face Slovenia on Monday, July 1.
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