logo
Ronaldo makes shock injury revelation after Portugal win Nations League

Ronaldo makes shock injury revelation after Portugal win Nations League

Metro4 days ago

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

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Unemployed England star with nine international caps lands surprise new job for Club World Cup
Unemployed England star with nine international caps lands surprise new job for Club World Cup

The Sun

time36 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Unemployed England star with nine international caps lands surprise new job for Club World Cup

CALLUM WILSON has landed an offseason media role as he mulls over his future. The Newcastle forward, 33, could leave St James Park this summer after five seasons. 3 3 Wilson 's Toon contract expires at the end of the month. Negotiations over an extension are continuing with Wilson currently set to become a free agent. As the 33-year-old thinks over his next move, DAZN have snapped him up for an offseason punditry gig. Wilson will provide expert analysis throughout the upcoming Club World Cup. The revamped 32-team tournament kicks off in the United States on June 14 and runs until July 17. DAZN has sublicensed its coverage to Channel 5 in the UK, with 23 games to be shown live on terrestrial TV. Channel 5 has confirmed it will also show highlights of every match across its social accounts and YouTube channel. Wilson will be joined by football royalty in the DAZN studio. Brazilian legend Ronaldo is among the pundits, with his former clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan all in action. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Shay Given, ex-Manchester United star Kleberson and Christian Vieri have all been signed up by the broadcaster. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see the World's best players decide which club is the greatest Lionel Messi' s Inter Miami get the tournament going against Egypt's Al Ahly on Saturday night. Wilson has scored 49 goals in 130 games for Newcastle since signing from Bournemouth five years ago. The former Coventry striker has earned nine England caps and scored twice. 3 But his last international appearance came two years ago. Newcastle confirmed on Wednesday they were continuing to discuss an extension with Wilson's representatives. He has been linked with a move to Leeds United, Birmingham City and Wrexham.

Unemployed England star with nine international caps lands surprise new job for Club World Cup
Unemployed England star with nine international caps lands surprise new job for Club World Cup

Scottish Sun

time36 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Unemployed England star with nine international caps lands surprise new job for Club World Cup

The 33-year-old is being joined by football royalty in the DAZN studio WIL TO WIN Unemployed England star with nine international caps lands surprise new job for Club World Cup Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CALLUM WILSON has landed an offseason media role as he mulls over his future. The Newcastle forward, 33, could leave St James Park this summer after five seasons. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Callum Wilson's future at Newcastle remains uncertain with his deal expiring on June 30 Credit: Getty 3 The 33-year-old is spending his offseason in the DAZN punditry studio Credit: Reuters Wilson's Toon contract expires at the end of the month. Negotiations over an extension are continuing with Wilson currently set to become a free agent. As the 33-year-old thinks over his next move, DAZN have snapped him up for an offseason punditry gig. Wilson will provide expert analysis throughout the upcoming Club World Cup. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL CAR BLIMEY EFL reveals never-before-seen change to Carabao Cup as teams required to qualify The revamped 32-team tournament kicks off in the United States on June 14 and runs until July 17. DAZN has sublicensed its coverage to Channel 5 in the UK, with 23 games to be shown live on terrestrial TV. Channel 5 has confirmed it will also show highlights of every match across its social accounts and YouTube channel. Wilson will be joined by football royalty in the DAZN studio. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Brazilian legend Ronaldo is among the pundits, with his former clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan all in action. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Shay Given, ex-Manchester United star Kleberson and Christian Vieri have all been signed up by the broadcaster. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see the World's best players decide which club is the greatest Lionel Messi's Inter Miami get the tournament going against Egypt's Al Ahly on Saturday night. Wilson has scored 49 goals in 130 games for Newcastle since signing from Bournemouth five years ago. The former Coventry striker has earned nine England caps and scored twice. 3 But his last international appearance came two years ago. Newcastle confirmed on Wednesday they were continuing to discuss an extension with Wilson's representatives. He has been linked with a move to Leeds United, Birmingham City and Wrexham.

'I received envelope from ex-Man Utd player – it was stuffed full of £50 notes'
'I received envelope from ex-Man Utd player – it was stuffed full of £50 notes'

Daily Mirror

time37 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

'I received envelope from ex-Man Utd player – it was stuffed full of £50 notes'

A striker who enjoyed a successful career in the Premier League with both Manchester United and Everton has been praised for his generosity in a heart-warming anecdote Louis Saha displayed remarkable kindness by gifting a physio a hefty envelope filled with £50 notes as a thank you for helping him through his injury woes. The French striker initially made waves in the Premier League with Fulham, before he went on to join Manchester United in 2004. During his time at United, he clinched two Premier League titles, the Champions League, and a League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson 's stewardship, bagging 42 goals across 124 matches over four years. Injuries, however, saw Saha fall out of favour, prompting his move from Old Trafford to Everton in 2008. ‌ Despite ongoing fitness battles, he still managed to score a commendable 35 goals in 115 games for the Toffees from 2008 to 2012. Saha's relationship with Everton's medical staff was notably positive, especially with ex-club physio Mick Rathbone. ‌ Rathbone, once dubbed the 'best signing ever' by David Moyes, recounted a touching story about Saha's generous act after signing a new contract deal at Goodison Park in 2010. "We were excited about working with Louis despite his injury-prone reputation," the former Preston medic wrote in his book, The Smell of Football. "In his first season at the club, we were extremely careful with him, in terms of not pushing him too hard. "We quickly gained his trust because he intimated that at all his previous clubs, he felt this had not necessarily been the case. By his second season we had developed a relationship that allowed us to push him harder. "In those two seasons, Louis played nearly 70 games and scored more than 20 goals for Everton, despite being injured and out for six weeks when he first came to us from Manchester United." Rathbone added: "When Louis signed his new contract in February 2010, Bill Ellaby, the player liaison officer, handed me an envelope. He explained it was a thank you from Louis. I was touched he had taken the trouble to thank me in writing. I opened the envelope thinking, 'F*** me, this is a thick letter.'". ‌ "But it wasn't a letter; it was an envelope stuffed with £50 notes. That is the type of gratitude I prefer. After all, let's face it, talk is cheap. Apparently, he rewarded every member of the medical staff in the same way. I think he respected us for the care and time we gave him. It was a magnificent gesture from a great guy." Saha may no longer be on the football pitch, but he's certainly not short of cash these days, with a net worth that dwarfs even that of Cristiano Ronaldo, his ex-teammate at United. Since retiring in 2013 at 35, the former France international has dived into the business world with impressive results. ‌ His enterprise 'AxisStars', co-founded with Kate Hamer, is now said to be valued at an eye-watering £4.3billion. The firm seeks to forge links between 'professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners'. The business empire of Saha towers over Ronaldo's hefty £600m fortune, being more than seven times larger. Saha, alongside former marketer Hamer and tech guru Patrice Arnera, has seen his venture flourish. With over 550 ex-sports stars linked to the company, Saha admits that his enterprise, AxisStars, has eclipsed his achievements on the pitch. "I still get asked for advice by different people on a daily basis," he told The Guardian. ‌ "For instance, my agent called me to say he had a talented French footballer who he wants to bring to England, and asked me for advice on how to create a tailor-made training programme. I put him in touch with people I used to work with. "This kind of player could join Axis as he can then search for a personal coach in his region. It is a hard process but it's so rewarding, because if I can help 100,000 people, it's the best thing I've ever done." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store