Cristiano Ronaldo burst into tears on Sunday evening after the won penalty shootout in the Nations League final against Spain. The forty-year-old Portuguese star player couldn’t contain his happiness after his third major prize with the national team.
“Winning a prize with Portugal is always so special,” Ronaldo said after the match to the Portuguese Sport TV. “I feel nothing but joy. When you talk about Portugal, it always gives a special feeling. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride.”
Thanks in part to Ronaldo, the final was decided with a penalty series. In the 61st minute, Ronaldo was in the right place to tap in the 2-2, after which Spain did not score again. From 11 meters, Roberto MartÃnez’s team was better.
The Nations League title is Ronaldo’s third prize on the international stage, after his European title in 2016 and the Nations League victory in 2019. “I have won quite a few titles at various clubs, but nothing feels better than winning with Portugal,” Ronaldo said.
The important equalizer against Spain was the 138th goal in the international career of ‘CR7’, after which he had to leave the field injured. “But that doesn’t matter anymore,” Ronaldo concluded. “I already felt something during the warm-up. But even if I had to break a leg for the national team, I would have done that. This is so special.”