WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo scores in Portugal vs Spain UEFA Nations League final
Cristiano Ronaldo restored parity in the UEFA Nations League final when he equalised for Portugal against Spain at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday.
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India.com
7 hours ago
- India.com
Cristiano Ronaldo sends heartfelt message to Lionel Messi after winning third title with Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo. New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo expressed admiration for Lionel Messi before the UEFA Nations League final on how the teammates respected each other in spite of their long-standing competition. In a pre-match press conference, Cristiano Ronaldo unexpectedly diverted attention from himself and the Portuguese team to comment on Lionel Messi. 'I've always respected Messi, not just as a rival but as a person. He's done incredible things for football,' Ronaldo said with a smile. Cristiano Ronaldo lightheartedly imitated an Argentinian accent when praising Lionel Messi, amusing the press and audience. 'I'd love to visit Argentina one day,' he added. 'Not just because Georgina [Rodríguez] is from there, but because I have deep respect for Messi and his country.' Global football fans reacted positively to his remarks, particularly given the anticipated decline of these two iconic players' careers. Cristiano Ronaldo's post-Al Nassr career is uncertain. His contract with the Saudi Arabian team has expired, leaving his future playing plans unknown. Portugal defeated Spain 5-2 on penalties and lifted the UEFA Nations League title for the second time.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
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Weston McKennie defends USMNT teammates from criticism
A day after Landon Donovan lambasted members of the U.S. men's national team who decided to skip this summer's friendlies and CONCACAF Gold Cup, midfielder Weston McKennie came to the defense of his teammates. Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Yunus Musah are among the USMNT mainstays who aren't with the team, ostensibly to rest after the European season. The national squad is also missing numerous other players due to injury or involvement in the upcoming Club World Cup, where McKennie is set to compete with Juventus. While lauding Cristiano Ronaldo for helping lead Portugal to the UEFA Nations League championship Sunday with a win over Spain, Donovan took a shot at the current USMNT absentees. "This is what it means to represent your country," Donovan said, speaking of Ronaldo, on the Fox broadcast. "This is what it means. And if you don't want to take this as a professional soccer player, as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. This is what it means. " 40 years old. He's played a long-ass season. He's tired. He's out there grinding. Hurt himself in the process, and I can't help but think about some of our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off." The U.S. team just took a third consecutive loss, falling 2-1 to Turkey on Saturday in a friendly at East Hartford, Conn. McKennie was asked about Donovan's comments by USA Today Sports on Monday in Italy, where he is in training with Juventus. "Obviously, none of us take for granted playing for the national team," McKennie told USA Today. "None of us want to lose games. All of us want to compete." McKennie added about Donovan's remarks, "No names were named. Coming off a long season, a stressful season, obviously, some players feel a different way about it, and some players feel another way. But the comments are comments. Everyone has their own opinions, and that's life, and that's football. "Obviously, like I said before, none of us take for granted that we get to represent a national team because it's one of the biggest honors that we can have in the sport of football. ... "So, any chance that we get, we want to play. But obviously, if you don't feel like your body is in the right condition, and you don't feel like your body is in the best form or shape or whatever, to be able to do that at 100 percent, and you feel like you're risking injury, then it's better to let someone else go in that is completely 100 percent." Also on Monday, Mark Pulisic, Christian's father, posted on Instagram a ChatGPT summary of the time when Donovan took a sabbatical from playing in 2012-13 "because he was feeling both physically and mentally exhausted after years of intense competition and the pressure that comes with being a top athlete." Christian Pulisic "liked" his father's post. Field Level Media
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- The Hindu
Spain tries to stay upbeat after shootout loss to Portugal in Nations League final
As Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the Nations League trophy and his Portugal teammates celebrated behind him, Spain's players watched in clear disappointment. There was no major letdown after the penalty shootout defeat in Sunday's final in Munich, though. There were no calls for a coaching change. There was no blaming of players who underperformed. The feeling was that Spain is still on the right track. Before leaving the field, coach Luis de la Fuente gathered his players and made sure they remained upbeat and ready to start focusing on next year's World Cup. 'It was time to remind them that we have to be proud of this team, of what we have been doing,' De la Fuente said. 'I reminded the players that I'm proud to have them in the team. Now we have to start focusing on the World Cup. I'm still counting on every one of them, on those who were here and those who couldn't come this time.' Spain is the European champion and as a nation has been enjoying one of its best runs in international soccer. The women's team is the World Cup and Nations League champion. La Roja also won the men's Olympic tournament in France last year, as well as the 2023 Nations League. 'You can't question what this team has been achieving,' De la Fuente said. 'It has been defining an era, a style, and it will continue to do so, not because of me, but because of the players that we have.' After beating France 5-4 in the Nations League semifinals last week, Spain lost the final 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw following extra time. Striker Álvaro Morata was the only player to miss his spot kick. 'Morata is a champion and a reference for us,' De la Fuente said. 'I'm responsible for his missed kick because I'm the one who asked him to take the shot.' Martín Zubimendi (21 minutes) and Mikel Oyazarbal (45) twice gave Spain the lead but Portugal rallied with goals by Nuno Mendes in the 26th and Ronaldo in the 61st. 'We have to overcome this defeat as best we can and value the positive momentum we have had in recent years,' Zubimendi said. 'This time we let the title slip away because of details. We have to keep our feet on the ground. We have been used to winning. Since I joined the national team I've only experienced positive things.' De la Fuente took over from Luis Enrique following defeat to Morocco in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He recently had his contract renewed by the Spanish soccer federation until 2028 and the next Euros. He is leading a team with a bright future thanks to young stars such as 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pedri, Gavi, Dean Huijsen and Pau Cubarsí. Spain's next match is in Bulgaria on Sept. 4 in the World Cup qualifiers.
