Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo saved by stewards as fan jumps from stands at Euro 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo was at the centre of another European Championship security scare after a fan almost landed on him jumping from the stands.

Shocking footage posted online showed the supporter launching himself from a platform several feet above a stairwell as Ronaldo left the pitch following Portugal’s surprise defeat to Georgia on Wednesday.

A steward threw himself in the way to prevent a stunned Ronaldo being hurt in the incident at the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

The near-miss occurred barely three days after Uefa announced stadium security would be beefed up for the remainder of Euro 2024 following the repeated targeting of Ronaldo by selfie-seeking pitch invaders.

Ronaldo cut an increasingly frustrated and despairing figure during Portugal’s 3-0 win over Turkey at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund on Saturday after six separate invaders tried to get to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Manager Roberto Martinez warned that the safety of players was at risk and, as revealed by Telegraph Sport, the situation prompted the Portuguese football federation (FPF) to write formally to Uefa and the tournament’s organising committee at the German football association (DFB) to demand security measures were ramped up at games.

That prompted European football’s governing body to announce they would be tightened and warn that anyone encroaching the pitch would face criminal action and be banned from attending all matches at the tournament.

Martinez had earlier voiced his concerns and warned that players were being left totally exposed, saying: “We all love a fan that recognises the big stars and the big icons in their minds, we all agree with that. But you can understand it was a very, very difficult moment – if those intentions are wrong, the players are exposed and we need to be careful with that.

“I don’t think that should happen on a football pitch. There is a lot of security and a lot of protection and I don’t think that should happen.”

Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo’s Portugal team-mate, said the players were less concerned for their safety and more irritated by the persistent delays caused by the pitch invasions.

The Manchester City forward added: “That is the price you pay for being recognised in the world of football. Feeling in danger? I don’t think so. Not me at least.”