In a moment reminiscent of the Euro 2016 final, Cristiano Ronaldo could not hold back his tears as Portugal trumped Spain in the UEFA Nations League final in Munich on Sunday with the injured captain watching on from the sidelines.
With the game moving into extra-time and the penalties subsequently after Ronaldo had netted the equaliser before his injury and exit shortly before 90 minutes, the Portuguese legend could not bear to see the decisive fifth shot from teammate Ruben Neves after Alvaro Morata botched his kick for Spain, ending the shootout 5-3.
“I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,” the 40-year-old Ronaldo said as Portugal added onto their Euro 2016 and Nations League 2019 victories. “These are tears. It’s mission accomplished and so much joy.”
“What a joy,” Ronaldo told Sport TV. “First of all for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends.
🚨👀 The cam. Final penalty feeling. Final whistle. 🇵🇹
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal)
Having netted the winner in the 2-1 victory against Germany in the semi-finals, Ronaldo kept pushing for an opportunity in the box even as Spain seized the first half with goals from Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal overshadowing Nuno Mendes’ 26th-minute strike. Featuring in his 10th clash against Spain, Ronaldo made his presence felt with a 61st-minute equaliser, capitalising on a deflected Mendes shot in the box for his record-extending 138th international goal.
Ronaldo admitted that he had been carrying a muscle niggle in his legs heading into the contest.
“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.
“It’s for our nation. We are a small people, but with a very big ambition. The future is short term. Now is the time to rest well. I had the injury and that was the maximum, the maximum.
However, with two crucial strikes in the knockouts, Ronaldo finished second on the goal-scoring charts with eight goals in the tournament.
“I pushed, because for the natonal team you have to push.”
The talismanic striker admits the finish line is nearing, but affirmed that he will extend his career as much as possible unless a fatal injury curtails his movements.
“You know how old I am already. Obviously, I’m closer to the end than I was at the beginning, but I have to enjoy every moment. If I don’t get seriously injured, I’ll keep going.”
