Cristiano Ronaldo was the happiest man in the world after winning his second UEFA Nations League after Portugal won on penalties against Spain. The Portugal captain scored one of his team’s goals, the 2-2 equaliser, and was substituted through injury before extra time, so he was unable to take any penalties in the decisive shootout.
After the match and still with the euphoria of the celebration, Ronaldo spoke about his future. After a post on his social networks, rumors were sparked about his departure from Saudi Arabia, as if his time there was over. Many teams that are going to play in the Club World Cup moved their chips at the possibility of having Cristiano in the American tournament this summer.
However, the Portuguese star made it clear that he is not going to leave. “Nothing is going to change, Al Nassr? Yes,” he replied when asked about his immediate future. If his words are taken literally, Cristiano will sign a renewal with the Arab team and thus fulfill his fourth season in Riyadh.
“I’m very happy. First, for this generation, it deserved a title. To win for Portugal is very special. I have many titles, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. The tears and the sense of duty done… It’s beautiful. It’s our nation. We are a small people, but with great ambition. I have lived in many countries, I have played in many clubs, but when they talk about Portugal it is a special feeling. To be the captain of this generation is a pride. Winning a title is always the highlight of a national team. The future is about thinking short term. I had an injury and that was too much, too much… I pushed myself, because in the national team you have to push yourself.”
“I already felt it during the warm-up, I had been feeling it for a long time. But for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would do it. It’s a title, I had to play and I gave everything, I got as far as I could. I helped with a goal.”
Roberto Martinez: “I’m very happy for him, for being Spanish, for having given everything for our country. It’s a title that we’ve already won, but this is our motivation, this is our hunger.”
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