Cristiano Ronaldo sheds tears of joy after Portugal's Nations League triumph
MUNICH (AP) — Another trophy for Cristiano Ronaldo. More records, more adulation.
The Portugal star shed tears after helping his team win the Nations League on Sunday.
Ronaldo scored to help Portugal draw level with Spain 2-2 in the final, then watched as his teammates won the penalty shootout 5-3.
'I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,' Ronaldo said. 'These are tears. It's mission accomplished and so much joy.'
The 40-year-old Ronaldo had been the first to run out onto the field for the pre-game warmup, sparking a huge roar from the Portugal supporters, including many wearing jerseys emblazoned with his name.
His appearance prompted many supporters to pull out their cell phones to record the superstar while they could still see him in action. Ronaldo conceded Saturday that he won't be able to play forever.
That was three days after he helped Portugal to its first win over Germany for 25 years, scoring the winner for a 2-1 victory in the Nations League semifinals.
On Sunday he was driving the team again, though it was initially a frustrating game as his chances were limited by Spain's hard-working defenders.
Nuno Mendes fired Portugal level after Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain. Then Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead 2-1 at the break.
But Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to fire home the equalizer from Mendes' deflected cross in the 61st, setting off joyous scenes among his faithful fans. It was Ronaldo's 138th goal for Portugal. Nobody has ever scored more for their country.
Ronaldo kept trying in what was his record-extending 221st appearance for the country, but eventually had to go off exhausted in the 88th to standing ovations from fans and a hug from coach Roberto Martínez.
Ronaldo said he was carrying an injury into the game.
'I had already felt it during the warmup, I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it,' Ronaldo said. 'It's for a trophy, I had to play and I gave it my all.'
Ronaldo's future is uncertain as his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr only runs to the end of June. He posted 'this chapter is over' on social media after the club's last Saudi Pro League game of the season.
On Saturday he said he had all but decided not to go to the Club World Cup despite 'quite a few' offers from participating clubs to play there.
Whatever club Ronaldo plays for, he will keep striving for Portugal.
'I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it's about Portugal, it is always a special feeling,' he said.
___
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Canadian teen Summer McIntosh shatters third world swim record in five days
FILE - Summer McIntosh of Canada reacts after competing in the Women's 200m Butterfly Heats on day three of the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, file) VICTORIA, Canada (AP) — Canadian teen Summer McIntosh has done it again. The 18-year-old made it three world records in less than a week when she broke her own 400-meter individual medley mark on Wednesday night. Advertisement McIntosh won at the Canadian swimming trials in 4 minutes, 23.65 seconds to lower her previous best in one of the sport's toughest events by 0.73 seconds. Her closest rival was 12 seconds behind. 'What a week Victoria! Had so much fun in the pool this week,' McIntosh wrote on Instagram. McIntosh had already broken the world best mark in the 200 individual medley on Monday in 2:05.70, two days after shaving more than a second off the 400 freestyle record, completing the race in 3:54.18. The Toronto native also set new Canadian marks in two other events: The 200 butterfly, where she was less than half a second off a record that has stood since 2009, and the 800 freestyle, where she was also just off Katie Ledecky's world record set last month. Advertisement She is scheduled to compete in those five events at the world aquatics championships in Singapore next month. McIntosh won three gold medals at the Paris Olympics last year, winning her three individual events of the 400 and 200 individual medleys and the 200 butterfly. She also won silver in the 400 free. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What will the expanded Club World Cup mean for Africa?
Egypt forward Trezeguet (left) has rejoined Al Ahly ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States, while South Africa's Ronwen Williams will keep goal for Mamelodi Sundowns [Getty Images] Fifa's expanded Club World Cup offers fresh opportunities to the quartet of African sides heading to the United States for the inaugural 32-team tournament. Egypt's record 12-time continental champions Al Ahly, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and Tunisia's Esperance are the teams looking to outperform European superclubs and other contenders from across the globe. Advertisement No African side has won the Club World Cup, with only two reaching the final during 20 previous editions. But it now pays just to take part - the total prize pot stands at a staggering $1bn and, with $475m of that based on performance, success could secure a huge payday. Although the tournament adds more games in an already packed calendar, Esperance coach Maher Kanzari says it is "a dream" for players to take part. Ticket sales have reportedly been slow before kick-off on 15 June, but one Sundowns fan is backing the new format introduced by Gianni Infantino, the president of football's world governing body, which is set to be held every four years. Advertisement "You can't live one life," Thabo Mothabela told BBC Sport Africa. "You must change and establish new things. That's how we grow and explore." Representing Africa with pride The high cost of travel and tickets may prevent many Africans, including the colourful supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns, from travelling to the USA [Getty Images] Kanzari has called on his squad to "rise to the occasion" when they face Flamengo, Chelsea and Los Angeles FC in Group D. "Representing Esperance, Tunisia and the African continent is a huge responsibility," he told the BBC. "We know that the eyes of the fans will be on us, and we will give our utmost to demonstrate a level befitting African football." The four-time African champions will take part for the first time since 2019. Advertisement "Appearing in a tournament of the calibre of the Club World Cup is a dream for every player and coach," Kanzari added. Al Ahly, meanwhile, will face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the opening match (Sunday, 00:00 GMT) before games against Brazil's Palmeiras and Porto. The Cairo giants appointed Jose Riveiro shortly after winning their 45th Egyptian title, and have strengthened by signing Egypt forwards Trezeguet and Zizo. Wydad, who will miss out on next season's African Champions League after finishing third in the Moroccan league, open up their Group G campaign against Manchester City before facing Juventus and UAE outfit Al Ain. A disparity in finances Egyptian club Pyramids received $4m for winning the African Champions League this season - but the continent's representatives at the Club World Cup are guaranteed more than double that sum [Getty Images] All four African sides receive a participation fee of $9.55m - the same as the representatives from Asia and the North and Central American and Caribbean region. Advertisement That figure dwarfs the $4m prize money handed to this year's African Champions League winners Pyramids. Yet African clubs are among the poor relations at the Club World Cup. South America's six representatives will all get $15.21m, while the payments for the 12 European sides range from $12.81m to a staggering $38.19m. A group stage victory is worth $2m and a draw $1m, and the overall champions crowned in East Rutherford on 13 July will pocket $40m. The long-term question is whether the huge sums on offer could impact club competition back on the continent - especially given that between them Al Ahly, Esperance, Wydad and Sundowns won every edition of the African Champions League between 2016 and 2024. Advertisement Fifa, however, says that all revenues from the Club World Cup will be distributed to club football across the globe, and it has a target of $250m for its solidarity investment programme. Outnumbered three to one by European clubs, Africa hopes to have a bigger share of the pie in future. "It's a platform that we need to showcase our potential as African football clubs," Hersi Said, the chairman of the African Club Association, told the BBC. "We need to push for more numbers in the next editions." A spotlight on Africa? TP Mazembe, in 2010, and Raja Casablanca, in 2013, are the only African teams to reach the Club World Cup final, losing to Inter Milan and Bayern Munich respectively [Getty Images] Some hope that African teams playing in the Club World Cup could draw attention back to the continent's own club competitions, even if its Champions League lacks exposure and the revenue generated pales in comparison to its European equivalent. Advertisement The African Football League was launched to great fanfare by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in 2023 but has not returned since its inaugural eight-team competition won by Sundowns. The Pretoria-based outfit, owned by Patrice Motsepe, the billionaire president of Caf, have established themselves as the dominant club in South Africa, scooping up the past eight league titles. Yet one supporter of a rival side thinks Sundowns' appearance in Group F, where they will take on Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense, could help boost the Premier Soccer League. "If we are talking about the global stage, I don't think Sundowns are as known as the other clubs there," Kaizer Chiefs fan Wayne Magwaza said. Advertisement "Of the African teams, it's Al Ahly that everyone knows. "If Sundowns do well it's going to have an impact on how people look at South African football and maybe bring attention to the PSL." Burnout worries The timing of the Club World Cup has already impacted the game on the continent, with the 2025 Africa Cup on Nations forced to move away from a proposed June-July slot and rescheduled to begin in December. World players' union Fifpro and top European leagues lodged a legal complaint last year over what they claim is an "abuse of dominance" by Fifa, but the tournament will proceed regardless. Advertisement Samuel Chukwueze's club side AC Milan will not be involved but the Nigeria winger thinks the extra games are "too much" for footballers. "The only time players [can] have rest is the time they put the tournament," the 26-year-old added. "It's very difficult playing so many games. You are going to weaken your legs and your mind, and you will not have the desire to play. "[But] if it is a tournament, then you don't have any choice. You have to play." For supporters, the chance of glory is always alluring. "Going to the Club World Cup is not child's play but we've got high hopes," Sundowns fan Mothabela said. Advertisement "The way the guys are playing gives us confidence. We believe they are going to be in the semi-finals." The chances of an African side returning with the trophy may be slim, but Fifa expects the Club World Cup to usher in a new era for the global game. Whether the riches on offer in the USA drip down across the continent remains to be seen. Additional reporting by Morad Dakhil and Eshlin Vedan.
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
With more spots available than ever before, here is where World Cup qualifying stands, region by region
There will be three more qualifying periods this year — in September, October, and November — jammed into a crowded calendar that already has obliterated the offseason. You might think that would do it, but after two-plus years of eliminations, six spots will remain open. So, why not two sets of playoffs next March? One will be held in Europe, involving 16 teams; the other in the US, a six-team 'interconfederation' playoff, presented as 'a preparatory event.' FIFA apparently likes its playoffs. But they are something to be avoided by teams such as Italy, a four-time champion that fell in playoffs in the last two campaigns. The Azzurri got off to a slow start this time, falling to Norway, 3-0, in its qualifying opener last week, leading to coach Luciano Spalletti being fired. Spalletti, though, hung around for a 2-0 victory over Moldova before being replaced by Gennaro Gattuso, who played for the 2006 champions. Advertisement Meanwhile, FIFA's questionable reasoning that a bigger World Cup would be better could turn into a logistical nightmare. But it also opens opportunities for regions such as Africa, Asia, plus CONCACAF as hosts — regions that could end up supplying as many as 25 teams, though only 15 of their member nations are ranked among the top 48. Advertisement Jordan and Uzbekistan capitalized on the increased openings, clinching their first-ever berths with victories last week. Australia and South Korea also celebrated advancement last week. But the Iranians, who gained a berth in March, have had to mute their celebrations because of a travel ban. A summary of qualifying by region: Europe: 16 berths; qualified: none On merit, UEFA could fill more than half the tournament slots, as 25 of its members are ranked among the world's top 45, excluding No. 34 Russia (banned from the event). So, though the region's numbers have increased by three, qualifying could still prove challenging. The 12 group winners qualify, and 16 others will enter playoffs for the other four places. The idea has been to incentivize the Nations League, so South America: six berths, plus one playoff; qualified: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador The continent will have the highest percentage of qualified countries (70 percent), rewarding the success of Brazil (five titles), Argentina (three), and Uruguay (two). Argentina clinched a place with four games remaining and will be attempting to become the third team to repeat. Brazil stumbled through the campaign — firing two coaches along the way — before clinching with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay Tuesday night in Carlo Ancelotti's second game in charge. Surprisingly, Bolivia and Venezuela remain in contention with two matches remaining, while Chile has been ousted and Peru has only a slim chance for a playoff. Advertisement Africa: nine berths, plus one playoff; qualified: none Morocco's run to the 2022 semifinals symbolized the potential of the continent, which had three berths in 1994, increased to five from 1998-2022. The biggest surprise has been underperforming Nigeria, which stands in fourth place (1-1-4, 7 points) in Group C. The Super Eagles' fate could be decided when they meet group leader South Africa and second-place Rwanda in September. Asia: eight berths, plus one playoff; qualified: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan The Asian Federation has only recently stamped its mark on the World Cup, with Qatar (2022) and Saudi Arabia (2034) named to host. Asian teams, though, have yet to make an impact on the field. Japan became the first to clinch on March 20, going on to compile a 54-3 goal differential in 16 matches. After having survived two group-play rounds, six countries — Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — move on to a round-robin playoff Oct. 8-14. Two will qualify and two others will go to — you guessed it — the interconfederation playoff. Of the continent's 34 eliminated teams, Palestine came closest to surviving. The Palestinians were knocked out by Oman via a 1-1 tie, following a controversial stoppage-time penalty kick in Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday. Related : CONCACAF: three berths, plus two playoffs; qualified: Canada, Mexico, US (co-hosts) Even the host countries, excluded from qualifying, could be feeling the pressure as they prepare for the Gold Cup. Well, maybe not Canada, which has compiled a 6-1-3 record in the last 10 games. The Tricolor lost, 4-2, to Switzerland, before recovering for a 1-0 victory over Turkey last week. And the US fell to both the Advertisement Oceania: one berth, plus one playoff; qualified: New Zealand This is the first time the region has been awarded automatic qualification, and the Kiwis easily advanced, going 5-0-0 with a 26-1 goal differential. New Caledonia, ranked 160th in the world, will enter the playoffs. Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at
