Ronaldo makes shock injury revelation after Portugal win Nations League
Cristiano Ronaldo says he came into the Nations League final with an injury, but battled through the pain to score as Portugal went on to beat Spain on penalties.
The 40-year-old started the match at the Allianz Arena and scored Portugal's second equaliser on 61 minutes after Spain had twice taken the lead.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar did not quite make it to 90 minutes, going down injured just before the end of normal time, replaced by Goncalo Ramos.
He could only watch on during a goalless extra-time before his country won thanks to scoring five penalties in the shootout, while Alvaro Morata missed his spot-kick for Spain.
It was not clear exactly what the injury was that Ronaldo was struggling with, but he revealed that he did not suffer it late in the game, but before kick-off.
'I had already felt it during the warm-up, I had been feeling it for some time,' Ronaldo said, via Record. 'But for the national team, if I had to break a leg, I would.
'It's a title, I had to play and I gave my all, I went as far as I could. I helped with a goal.'
He added of his second Nations League win with Portugal: 'I'm so happy. Winning for Portugal is very special. I have many titles, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal.
'The tears and the sense of duty fulfilled. It's beautiful. It's our nation. We are a small people, but with great ambition.
'I've lived in many countries, I've played for many clubs, but when they talk about Portugal it's a special feeling. Being the captain of this generation, it's a source of pride.
'Winning a title is always the highlight of a national team. The future is about thinking in the short term. I had an injury and that was too much, too much… I pushed, because for the national team you have to push.'
The entertaining contest at the Allianz Arena saw three goals before the half-time break.
Martin Zubimendi put Spain ahead on 21 minutes before Nuno Mendes quickly equalised just five minutes later.
Mikel Oyarzabal put the Spaniards back ahead just before the interval as he expertly completed a lovely move, but the lead again did not last long as Ronaldo prodded home just after the hour-mark.
Portugal looked the more likely side to grab a winner later on and during extra-time, but could not find one before the final whistle.
The match went to a penalty shootout where there was a string of brilliantly taken spot-kicks until Alvaro Morata saw his tame effort saved by Diogo Costa.
Ruben Neves made no such mistake and found the back of the net to see Portugal claim victory 5-3 on penalties. More Trending
It is the second time Portugal have won the Nations League in only the fourth edition of the event.
Ronaldo started the 1-0 win over Netherlands as his country won the tournament in 2019 and has got his hands on the trophy again six years later.
Spain have reached the final for the third straight edition of the Nations League, losing to France in 2021, beating Croatia in '23 and narrowly losing out this time round.
MORE: Portugal vs Spain TV channel and live stream: How to watch Nations League final in the UK tonight
MORE: Franck Ribery hits back at Cristiano Ronaldo over Ballon d'Or claim
MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo makes 'very difficult' Lionel Messi claim ahead of Club World Cup
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
8 minutes ago
- BBC News
Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win Nations League
It was a historic night for Portugal as they beat defending champions Spain 5-3 on penalties to win the Nations League. The match went to spot kicks after it had finished 2-2 after extra have now become the first country in the competition to lift the trophy for a second previously won the title six years ago, in 2019. What happened in the final? Many people were excited for the final as two huge names in football faced each other for the first time - 40-year-old Portugal captain and legend Ronaldo and Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. And the match didn't disappoint, with goals from both were first to score through Martin Zubimendi after 21 their lead didn't last long, as Portugal's Nuno Mendes slammed a low strike into the far corner of the net five minutes later to level the match then got their second thanks to Mikel Oyarzabal, taking a 2-1 lead into half-time. In the second half, it was Ronaldo who came to Portugal's rescue - volleying in his 138th international goal to take the score to 2-2, which is how the game ended after 90 neither side scoring in extra time, the moment had arrived for the dreaded penalty netted all five of their spot kicks, with Spain's Álvaro Morata the only man to miss - meaning it was Ronaldo's side who lifted the trophy. After the match, the 40-year-old legend was in tears as he explained how much the title meant to said: "Winning for Portugal is always special. "I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal."It is the third trophy that Ronaldo has won with Portugal, after previously being crowned Euro 2016 champions and lifting the Nations League in 2019.
The National
12 minutes ago
- The National
Five Scotland talking points as pressure mounts on Clarke
Steve Clarke's side lost 3-1 at home to Iceland on Friday in the first fixture of their June friendly double header. Here are some of the key talking points ahead of the game at the Rheinpark Stadium. The pressure is on Scotland suffered defeat against Iceland (Andrew Miligan/PA) Scotland are in dire need of a victory ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign, which takes place in the autumn against Denmark, Belarus and Greece. Scotland looked like they had turned a corner after a solitary win, against Gibraltar, in 16 matches, when they recorded three impressive Nations League victories in a row. But they followed up by losing six goals in Hampden defeats against Greece and Iceland. Goalkeeper SOS Squad update. IN: Ross Doohan & Callan Angus Gunn & Robby McCrorie. Congratulations to both goalkeepers on their first senior call-ups 👏#LIESCO — Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 8, 2025 Steve Clarke called up Aberdeen second-choice keeper Ross Doohan after Cieran Slicker endured a difficult debut in the wake of injuries to Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie on Friday, and with Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly and Zander Clark all missing through injury. Doohan has 13 Scotland Under-21 caps to his name and nearly 200 first-team appearances and the 27-year-old looks likely to start to give Slicker some respite. Facing the minnows There are only three professionals in the Liechtenstein squad and they are listed at 205 in the FIFA world rankings, although they were on the end of bottom-ranked San Marino's first win for 20 years in November. Liechtenstein have started their qualification campaign with three defeats without netting a goal, the latest a 3-0 loss against Wales. Previous meetings Stephen McManus headed a late winner in the first meeting (PA) Scotland have laboured to wins in their only two encounters against the Alpine principality. Stephen McManus headed a winner seven minutes into stoppage time at Hampden in September 2010 to saved boss Craig Levein from a disastrous competitive home debut. Mario Frick had grabbed a shock opener on his 36th birthday before Kenny Miller levelled. Craig Mackail-Smith's first goal in his first start for his country was the difference between the sides in Vaduz in the return fixture in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Changes afoot Clarke signalled he would freshen up the team more than he usually does and he will have to make at least two outfield changes after losing Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay to injury. He is likely to revert to a back three in the wake of the returning Celtic defender's absence while Andy Irving and Kieran Bowie are pushing for debuts after Lennon Miller won his first cap off the bench against Iceland.
Metro
15 minutes ago
- Metro
De la Fuente reveals why he took off Lamine Yamal in Spain's defeat to Portugal
Luis de la Fuente says he brought off a 'tired' Lamine Yamal in Spain's Nations League final defeat to Portugal as he needed to inject some 'energy' into his side. Sunday night's showpiece had been widely billed as a meeting between five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and 17-year-old Barcelona sensation Yamal – one of the frontrunners for this year's prize. And it was Ronaldo's Portugal who eventually prevailed, but it took extra-time and penalties to decide the victors after an absorbing contest at Munich's Allianz Arena. Nuno Mendes cancelled out Martin Zubimendi's opener with a superb low strike beyond Unai Simon in the 26th minute, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to restor Spain's advantage at the end of a frantic first half. But Ronaldo outmuscled Marc Cucurella to find an equaliser for the Portuguese just past the hour mark before Roberto Martinez's men came out on top via a nerve-shredding shootout. An emotional Ronaldo was pictured in floods of tears as Portugal secured the title for a second time, six years after winning the inaugural tournament in 2019. Meanwhile, Yamal and Co were lift to lick their wounds, with the teenager clearly less than impressed to be taken off for Yeremy Pino midway through extra-time in Germany. 'We wanted to give the game a bit more energy,' De la Fuente told reporters at his post-match press conference when quizzed on the decision. 'The introduction of Yeremy Pino and Alex Baena gave us that energy, that control of the game that we had lost, as well as our finishing and shooting.' De la Fuente believes Yamal was showing signs of fatigue after a long and gruelling season, in which the youngster had made 62 appearances in all competitions for club and country. 'He is tired because he has been competing since Thursday, there has been little rest. He has had a very difficult year,' the Spanish head coach added. 'He is 17 years old and we have to behave accordingly. 'Today, we understood that it was time to replace him to give another player the opportunity to come in, so that he brings a little more energy.' LAMINE YAMAL EXPLODES AFTER BEING SUBBED OFF!😡🚨This was the Spanish player's reaction after being taken out by Luis de la Fuente—he threw his bottle and clearly showed his frustration with the decision!❌What could've happened if he had stayed on the pitch?🤔#LamineYamal — MARCA in English 🇺🇸 (@MARCAinENGLISH) June 8, 2025 Ronaldo urged fans to give Yamal the time and space he needs to develop at his own pace prior to the clash. Speaking in the mixed zone after Portugal's victory, he repeated the sentiment, while backing the winger to enjoy a 'very long career' at the top. 'He's going to win a lot of titles, both collective and individual,' the 40-year-old Portuguese captain told Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. 'He's only 17 years old… I repeat: he's a kid with a lot of room for improvement. 'He's a phenomenon, but we have to leave him alone, that's what I ask. 'He has a very long career ahead of him and will surely win the Nations League many times.' More Trending On De la Fuente's decision to bring Yamal off, Ronaldo replied: 'Your coach is a phenomenon. 'He knows better than I do what the team needs… I'm not a coach. 'He's already won several titles with Spain. What more do you want me to say? 'If the coach made the decision, it was because he thought it was the best thing to improve his team.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Football fan dies after falling from stand during Portugal v Spain final MORE: Portugal vs Spain TV channel and live stream: How to watch Nations League final in the UK tonight MORE: Franck Ribery hits back at Cristiano Ronaldo over Ballon d'Or claim
