Four Pitch Invasions for a Photo with Cristiano Ronaldo
Euro 2024 has been a success in terms of attendance and sporting spectacle, with packed stadiums and a festive atmosphere in the streets. However, the tournament has faced serious challenges in terms of security, especially with fans rushing onto the field to get close to Cristiano Ronaldo and other football idols.
During the Group F match between Portugal and Turkey at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, security was overwhelmed on four occasions by fans who invaded the pitch. These incidents interrupted the game and elicited mixed reactions from the crowd.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a central figure in these events, showed affection towards the initial intruders who sought him out on the field. However, coach Robert Martinez expressed concern about the players' safety and questioned the security staff's ability to effectively handle these situations: "It's concerning because today we were lucky that the fans' intentions were good," noted the coach.
Despite the concerns, Bernardo Silva, who had a standout performance in the match, downplayed the incidents as part of the price paid for the global fame of Ronaldo and other football icons. "It's the price we pay for being so recognized in the world of football and having a player like him (Ronaldo) with us," said the Manchester City midfielder.