Portugal coach Roberto Martinez highlighted the fortunate outcome that none of the numerous fans who intruded onto the pitch during their Euro 2024 game against Turkey had harmful intentions. Many of these intruders aimed for selfies with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Group F game in Dortmund, which Portugal won 3-0 on Saturday, saw several pitch invasions in the second half, where fans evaded security to snap photos with the 39-year-old star.

The first intruder, a young boy dressed in a red tracksuit top, approached Ronaldo from the benches midway through the second half. Ronaldo graciously posed for the photo before the intruder was apprehended by stewards amid applause from the crowd.

At least five additional fans tried similar antics either during the match or after the final whistle. However, Ronaldo's patience was visibly waning with the unwanted attention.

“It is a concern because today we were lucky that the fans had good intentions,” Martinez remarked to reporters post-match, after Portugal secured their spot in the last 16. “We love seeing fans recognize the major stars that are icons in their countries.

“However, if those intentions turn harmful, it puts the players in a vulnerable position which we need to avoid. Even with extensive security and protection, this shouldn’t happen.”

Martinez, previously Belgium's coach, added, “We should inform fans that this isn't the appropriate approach. They gain nothing from it, and it only leads to stricter measures in the future, exposing players to unnecessary risks.”

‘The price you pay’

Ronaldo, participating in his sixth Euros, has a chance to become the oldest goal-scorer in the tournament’s history, although he did not add to his record tally of 14 goals in this match.

Now playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo remains one of the world’s most recognizable figures.

His teammate Bernardo Silva, who scored the match's first goal, acknowledged that such fame comes with certain drawbacks.

“It can be annoying to repeatedly stop the game for fans entering the pitch,” stated Manchester City player Silva. “But that’s the price of being so well-known in football. Personally, I don't feel in danger.”

Despite efforts to discourage pitch invasions by not featuring them in broadcasts, some broadcasters aired footage of the boy's intrusion post-match.