Paris: Star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who was unhappy to be asked a question about his next game, reacted harshly by throwing reporter's microphone into a lake.
Ahead of much-win clash against Hungary at the Euro 2016 football championship, the 31-year-old who serves as captain for Portugal was seen frustrated as he has failed to score from 20 shots.
"Are you ready for the game?" the 31-year-old Ronaldo was asked as he walked with teammates beside a lake in a park, with some Portuguese security personnel shielding them from fans.
Ronaldo responded to the seemingly harmless question by snatching the microphone off the reporter and apparently throwing it into the lake.
The incident happened in front of a crowd of journalists and watching fans, and the reporter was ushered away by security.
The three-time world player of the year has had his issues with the tabloid in question, Correio da Manha, threatening to sue it twice over reporting about his private life.
Ronaldo, the most high-profile player at Euro 2016, is not having the best of times in France.
He has failed to score in 22 attempts on goal across Portugal's first two matches, which ended in draws against Iceland and Austria. One of his chances was a penalty, which he struck against the post against Austria.
Previously, Ronaldo attracted negative headlines for belittling Iceland's defensive tactics after the smallest nation ever to play in a European Championship held Portugal to a 1-1 draw.
It perhaps shows Ronaldo is feeling the pressure as Portugal struggles to get out of Group F, heading into the game against Hungary in Lyon.
Meanwhile over in the United States, Lionel Messi — Ronaldo's big soccer rival — cannot stop scoring and setting up goals in Argentina's march to the Copa America final. Messi scored one goal, a brilliant free kick, to break his country's career scoring record and set up two others in Argentina's 4-0 win over the U.S. team in their semifinal Tuesday.
Portugal head coach Fernando Santos revealed the penalty miss had been playing on Ronaldo's mind.
"Cristiano hasn't been able to sleep. On Sunday, I was one of the first up and he was already awake. He's a winner and his experience will help him bounce back," Santos said.
"If there is a penalty in the next game, Cristiano Ronaldo will take it and he will score."
(With inputs from agencies)
