Ronaldo confirms Portugal injury nightmare as he makes Martinez thoughts clear
Cristiano Ronaldo played through the pain barrier to lead Portugal to winning the Nations League final against bitter rivals Spain, with the skipper breaking down in tears after the game
Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he suffered an injury in the warm-up ahead of Sunday's Nations League final. The 40-year-old was able to start the clash against Spain, scoring his side's second goal against La Roja.
The final, held in Munich's Allianz Arena ended up 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Portugal beating their bitter rivals 5-3 in a penalty shootout. It is Portugal's first competitive win over their neighbours since Euro 2004.
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And it means that they won the Nations League for the second time, having also lifted the trophy in 2019. Ronaldo was not on the pitch for the shootout though, having been replaced by Goncalo Ramos with two minutes remaining.
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He broke down in tears after the game as he lifted the trophy with his jubilant team-mates. The superstar attacker confirmed he had fought through the pain barrier to help his side, as he hinted towards a potential retirement.
Ronaldo made an effort to describe the win as a 'duty fulfilled' and insisted it was the 'pinnacle' for this group of Portugal players, a year out from the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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âI am so happy. First place for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends. Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with my clubs, but there is nothing better than winning for Portugal. It brings tears to my eyes. It is a duty fulfilled and a lot of joy,â he told Sport TV.
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âItâs beautiful. Itâs our nation. We are a small people, but with great ambition. It makes me happy. Iâve lived in many countries, Iâve played for many clubs, but when people talk about Portugal, itâs always a special feeling. Being the captain of this generation, itâs a source of pride.
"Winning a title is always the pinnacle of a national team. Winning a title is the pinnacle. The future is about thinking short-term. Now itâs time to rest well. I had the injury and that was too much, too much... I pushed, because for the national team you have to push.
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âI had already felt it [the injury] during the warm-up, I had been feeling it for some time, but if I had to break a leg for the national team, I would have. It was a title, I had to play and I gave my all, I went as far as I could. I helped with a goal."
Ronaldo also reserved praise for boss Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard had come under fire following Euro 2024, in which Portugal stumbled into the quarter-finals before being knocked out by France. But the skipper has insisted he is the right man for the job.
âThis generation deserved a lot, especially the coach. What they did to him wasnât fair. They beat him up a lot and he doesnât deserve it. Heâs the right coach to be in the national team," Ronaldo added.
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"The passion he brings to training and matches is huge. Even though heâs not Portuguese, I appreciate him even more. We should respect him a little more and let him work calmly. After winning a competition like this, in Germany , against Germany and Spain , we have to give credit to the players and the coaching staff."
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