Ronaldo and Neves fire Portugal to UEFA Nations League glory
The Roshn Saudi League is celebrating another major international success after Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruben Neves came up trumps for Portugal to claim the UEFA Nations League title on Sunday.
The RSL pair, of course representing Riyadh sides Al Nassr and Al Hilal respectively, played a major role in their country's penalty-shootout victory against Spain at Allianz Arena in Munich.
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Ronaldo, the RSL top scorer in the past two seasons, netted the all-important equaliser just after the hour of a gripping final, his drilled finish making it 2-2 on the night. Sparking wild scenes among the Portugal fans, it marked Ronaldo's record-extending 138th senior international goal.
Ronaldo was already increasing another record mark: this represented his 221st appearance for Portugal – no other male footballer has more international caps.
The Al Nassr captain had to leave the pitch with two minutes of normal time remaining because of injury, but he was a vocal presence on the sidelines as Portugal prevailed on penalties.
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Neves, his compatriot at city rivals Al Hilal, fired home the winning spot-kick as Roberto Martinez's men triumphed 5-4 in the shootout.
Ronaldo was soon back on the pitch to hoist aloft the trophy, his third with Portugal following the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
'I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal," said Ronaldo, who finished the campaign with eight goals, including the winner in the semi-final against Germany. 'These are tears. It's mission accomplished and so much love.'
Admitting that he was carrying an injury coming into the final, the five-time Ballon d'Or said: 'For the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it.
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'I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it's about Portugal, it is always a special feeling."
Portugal's success makes it the second successive summer the RSL has been home to major winners on the international stage. Last year, Al Nassr's Aymeric Laporte was an integral part of the Spain side who lifted the 2024 Euros, also in Germany.
Nacho, the current Al Qadsiah captain, was in that victorious team too – his move to the Kingdom, from freshly minted European champions Real Madrid, was confirmed only weeks before.
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