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Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears after Ruben Neves’ penalty secured Portugal’s win over Spain, sealing their second Nations League title.
Cristiano Ronaldo crying after Portugal won the Nations League. (PC: X)
Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t hold back his emotions after Ruben Neves’ clinical penalty secured Portugal a win over Spain to seal their second Nations League title in Munich on Sunday (June 8). The world-beating superstar dropped to his knees, breaking down in tears before joining his team’s celebrations.
Ronaldo, kept quiet by Spain’s defense for most of the night, equalised in the 61st minute to make it 2-2, volleying the ball home after adjusting his position on the far post and muscling past Marc Cucurella after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air. He was subbed off before full-time with a cramp as the scoreline remained the same through both halves of the extra time before Portugal won the shoot-out 5-3.
Before Neves’ penalty, Ronaldo was seen burying his face in a teammate’s back in anxiety. It seemed like he didn’t even watch the ball go in, but once Neves converted, the veteran let all his emotions out.
Watch a couple of clips of the surreal moment here:
“I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,” Ronaldo said after the final whistle, as quoted by AP. “These are tears. It’s mission accomplished and so much joy.”
“I had already felt it during the warmup, I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it,” Ronaldo said. “It’s for a trophy, I had to play, and I gave it my all. I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it’s about Portugal, it is always a special feeling,” he said
Ronaldo’s goal in normal time was his 138th in international football, further extending his lead as the highest goal-scorer, quite ahead of both Argentina’s Lionel Messi and India’s Sunil Chhetri.
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
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