Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart rate during Portugal’s Euro 2024 round of 16 clash with Slovenia was at its lowest before he kicked their first penalty in the shootout, new data has revealed

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart rate was at its lowest during Portugal’s Euro 2024 round of 16 clash with Slovenia before he kicked the first penalty, new data suggests.

Portugal secured their place in the quarter-finals with a penalty shootout victory thanks to a heroic performance from goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

During the match, Roberto Martinez’s team had the opportunity to take the lead in extra time, when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Diogo Jota in the penalty area.

Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty and score his first goal of this year’s tournament, but Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak denied him, saving it. However, the 39-year-old redeemed himself when he stepped up to take Portugal’s first penalty in the ensuing shootout and scored.

According to data provided by WHOOP, Ronaldo’s heart rate was around 100 bpm, the lowest of the night. His heart rate suddenly jumped to over 170 bpm when Bernardo Silva was about to take the penalty that ultimately sealed the victory for Martinez’s team.

Ronaldo, as usual during matches, wore the WHOOP 4.0 strap under his wristband.

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

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, that’s our life,” he said after the match ended, around midnight in Frankfurt.