logo
Emotional Ronaldo says ‘nothing better' than winning trophies with Portugal after UEFA Nations League triumph

Emotional Ronaldo says ‘nothing better' than winning trophies with Portugal after UEFA Nations League triumph

The Hindu4 days ago

Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo shed tears of joy as they won their second Nations League title on Sunday, insisting that winning trophies with his country beats all club honours.
Ronaldo's 138th international goal in the second half took the final to penalties after a 2-2 draw with Spain, with the substituted 40-year-old forward looking on from the sidelines as Portugal netted all five spot kicks to claim the title.
The triumph, which left the five-time Champions League winner in tears, was Ronaldo's third on the international stage, accompanying his 2016 European Championship and 2019 Nations League winners' medals.
'What a joy,' Ronaldo told Sport TV. 'First of all for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends.
ALSO READ | Portugal wins second Nations League title after shootout success over Spain
'Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It's tears. It's duty done and a lot of joy.
'When you talk about Portugal it is always a special feeling. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle in a national team.'
Ronaldo's future remains uncertain. He said last week he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, which starts later this month, despite being courted by clubs taking part in the 32-team tournament.
The Al-Nassr forward said he had several offers from other teams to play in the U.S., while his side's sporting director, Fernando Hierro said last month they were negotiating with Ronaldo over a contract extension but faced competition from clubs eager to sign the five-times Ballon d'Or winner.
For now, however, he is only focused on celebrating his latest triumph, having played in the final with an injury.
'It's beautiful,' he added. 'It's for our nation. We are a small people, but with a very big ambition.
'The future is short term. Now is the time to rest well. I had the injury and that was the maximum, the maximum ... I pushed, because for the national team you have to push.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trent Alexander-Arnold officially unveiled as Real Madrid player at Santiago Bernabeu: ‘It's a dream come true'
Trent Alexander-Arnold officially unveiled as Real Madrid player at Santiago Bernabeu: ‘It's a dream come true'

Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • Indian Express

Trent Alexander-Arnold officially unveiled as Real Madrid player at Santiago Bernabeu: ‘It's a dream come true'

English full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was on Thursday officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Alexander-Arnold will be wearing the No.12, with Spanish football regulations prohibiting the use of his former Liverpool number, 66. He will display his first name, 'Trent', on his shirt, saying it is easier to understand for Spanish speakers. 'Thank you both to President Florentino Perez and to Real Madrid for this opportunity. Signing for a club like Real Madrid doesn't happen every day. It's a dream come true,' he said. 'I'm very happy and proud to be here. I'm really looking forward to showing my game to the Madrid fans. But I'm aware that playing for Real Madrid is a big responsibility. I'm ready to give everything for the team and the fans. I can't wait to show my game, win many titles, become a champion, grow, and enjoy every moment alongside the best players in the world.' Alexander-Arnold will be working with newly appointed manager Xabi Alonso, who famously won the Champions League playing for Liverpool in his illustrious playing career. 'To be able to work with him now is a dream come true for me,' Alexander-Arnold said of Alonso during a press conference. 'Our ambition is to go and win that (Club World Cup) trophy. I am looking to have a great start.' 👍 @TrentAA 👍 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 12, 2025 🗣️🇪🇸 Señor Alexander-Arnold#WelcomeTrent — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 12, 2025 The 26-year-old came through the ranks at Liverpool and played for two decades with the club. He won two Premier League titles and a Champions League with the Premier League giants. However, Alexander-Arnold's departure soured his relationship with fans with somewhat, with his actions during the prolong transfer saga and his admiration for Madrid – a club that beat Liverpool in the Champions League finals of 2018 and 2022, being the frequently cited flashpoints. Alexander-Arnold scored 23 goals and made 92 assists for Liverpool in his senior career. 'Liverpool gave me the opportunity to achieve all my dreams. It was the right moment for me, being there 20 years, achieving everything I wanted to,' he said.

Poland coach resigns after dispute with star striker Robert Lewandowski
Poland coach resigns after dispute with star striker Robert Lewandowski

Business Standard

timean hour ago

  • Business Standard

Poland coach resigns after dispute with star striker Robert Lewandowski

The coach of Poland's national soccer team announced Thursday has resigned as head coach, days after a spat with star striker Robert Lewandowski. I have come to the conclusion that, given the current situation, the best decision for the good of the national team is my resignation from the position of head coach, Michal Probierz said in a statement published by the Polish Football Association. Probierz stripped Barcelona striker Lewandowski of his position as team captain on the eve of a World Cup qualifier against Finland earlier this week, and named Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski as the new captain. Lewandowski reacted by saying he would no longer play for the national team as long as Probierz remains head coach. Poland went on to suffer an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Finland, to put its qualifications hopes into jeopardy. The 36-year-old Lewandowski, who has played a record 158 games for his country and is the leading scorer with 85 goals, is arguably the most outstanding player in the history of Polish soccer. Lewandowski pulled out of last Friday's friendly over Moldova, citing tiredness from a La Liga title-winning season with Barcelona. Probierz, who took over in September 2023 after the disappointing tenure of Fernando Santos, managed to secure qualification for the 2024 European Championship but has since struggled. The Polish Football Association's president, Cezary Kulesza, had summoned Probierz on Wednesday to discuss the matter. I give coaches a lot of freedom, but with that comes responsibility. I expect results, first and foremost," Kulesza said. These were difficult days for the fans of the national team. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

'Dream come true' for Alexander-Arnold as he is introduced by Real Madrid
'Dream come true' for Alexander-Arnold as he is introduced by Real Madrid

Business Standard

timean hour ago

  • Business Standard

'Dream come true' for Alexander-Arnold as he is introduced by Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold was officially introduced by Real Madrid on Thursday, saying he was fulfilling his dream to play for the Spanish powerhouse. The 26-year-old England back was the latest reinforcement on defense for Madrid after a season in which the back line struggled following injuries. Madrid moved forward with signing Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool for a reported fee of up to 10 million euros ($11.5 million) to get him on June 1 instead of for free at the end of the month. That allowed Madrid to count on the defender to play for Xabi Alonso's team at the Club World Cup in the United States. Madrid opens its Club World Cup group-stage campaign against Saudi club Al-Hilal next Wednesday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Alexander-Arnold was accompanied by his parents and relatives in the capital. After signing the contract alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Prez, he was introduced with a video of his highlights and then spoke briefly, in Spanish. Thank you for this opportunity, he said. To sign with a club like Real Madrid doesn't happen very often. It's a dream come true. I'm very happy and proud to be here. I'm very excited to show my game to Madrid fans but I'm aware that it's a great responsibility to play for Real Madrid. I'm ready to give my all for this team and for the fans. Madrid also this week introduced central defender Dean Huijsen. Alexander-Arnold, who will wear the No. 12 jersey, arrived on a six-year contract through June 2031. He will join fellow England international Jude Bellingham. Alexander-Arnold won nine titles with Liverpool, including one Champions League and two Premier Leagues. We welcome a player who has won everything and who marked an era in a prestigious club such as Liverpool, Prez said. You could have continued playing in any other club but you chose to continue your career with our club and we will never forget that. Madrid and the other 31 teams playing in the Club World Cup are allowed to make early signings in FIFA-approved special transfer windows from June 1-10 and June 27-July 3. Alexander-Arnold had already announced he was leaving his boyhood club with Madrid the expected destination. He made 354 appearances for Liverpool and scored 23 goals. By its own high standards, Madrid had a disappointing season, finishing runner-up to rival Barcelona in La Liga and being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League despite having signed France star Kylian Mbapp last summer.

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