Cristiano Ronaldo has never been shy about his love for Portugal.
But after lifting his third major international trophy, the 40-year-old has made one thing crystal clear — winning with his country tops everything else.
The Portuguese legend led his team to another title in dramatic fashion. In a tense UEFA Nations League final against Spain in Munich, Ronaldo scored a vital equalizer before going off with an injury.
From the sidelines, he watched the rest of the game like every other fan — with his heart in his mouth and his face buried in a teammate’s back.
When Portugal won the shootout 5-3, Ronaldo dropped to his knees. It was a moment of pride, relief, and raw emotion.
He may have won five Champions League titles and league trophies across Europe, but for him, international success hits different.
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What Cristiano Ronaldo said after lifting the UEFA Nations League trophy?
Speaking to Sport TV, the Portugal captain said: “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.”
He added, “Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle in a national team.”
Ronaldo’s teammates backed his passion too. Nuno Mendes, who assisted his goal and scored in the shootout, said, “He deserves everything. He helps us a lot on the pitch and off it. He’s got a winner mentality. He’s a role model.”
Despite interest from clubs in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, Ronaldo confirmed he won’t be taking part. Instead, he’s expected to sign a new deal with Al-Nassr and prepare for one last dance at the 2026 World Cup.
At 40, most players are watching from the stands. Ronaldo? He’s still scoring, leading, and making defenders wish they’d stayed in bed.
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