Nations League thriller
Ronaldo cries after the final victory – “special feeling”
Updated on 09.06.2025 – 9:29 a.m.Reading time: 3 min.
Portugal and Spain have a gripping final in the Nations League in Munich. In the end, the nerves decide from the point – and Ronaldo can no longer look.
Cristiano Ronaldo has surprisingly showed himself emotionally after the penalty thriller of Munich. On the field, the world champion cried immediately after the decision and threw himself on the floor. The 40-year-old soccer superstar after Portugal’s title in the Nations League then touched his cheering teammates, he repeatedly held his hands in front of his face. Then he celebrated the final victory against European champion Spain like a Champions League triumph and after midnight lifted the trophy into the sky.
“We knew that we were a great team. Every footballer dreams of these moments, of such finals – that drives us,” said Bruno Fernandes after the dramatic final at RTL. First goal scorer, then noble fan on the line: Gallion figure Ronaldo conquered the third trophy in the memorable final after the European Championship 2016 and the Nations League 2019.
After the coup against Spain’s long-term winner around Lamine Yamal, Ronaldo, who at times could no longer look, remains only an unfulfilled goal: the 2026 World Cup cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The multiple world football player Ronaldo was involved in the 5: 3 in a penalty shootout (2: 2, 2: 2, 1: 2) in the final in Munich against Spain as a scorer for 2: 2 in the victory of his selection. To the celebrated final hero in the showdown from the point, where the replaced Ronaldo as at the European Championship 2016 suffered on the edge of the field and on the compartmental bench, Ruben Neves. He converted the crucial penalty after 120 minutes of football thriller after Spain had previously shot Alvaro Morata. Read the entire game report here.
As with the success in the semi -finals against Germany (2-1) four days earlier, Ronaldo left the arena in Munich as a triumphant. He hugged coach Roberto Martínez intently – and cheered there in the extension of the winning goal.
In the final phase of the regular season, however, nothing worked for Ronaldo at some point. The superstar sat on the floor, had to be treated and replaced.
“I already felt it when I warm up, there has been a while,” said Ronaldo after the game about his problems. “But if I had to break my leg for the national team, I would do it. It is a title, I had to play and I gave everything, I went as far as I could. I helped with a goal”. He also explained why this victory touched him in particular: “It is beautiful. It is our country. We are a small people, but we have great ambitions. I lived in many countries and played for many clubs, but when you talk about Portugal, that’s a special feeling. Captain of this generation fills me with pride.”
But he continues to see his future in Saudi Arabia. “Nothing will change. Al-Nassr, yes,” quoted the Portuguese sports portal “Ojogo” after the victory. Ronaldo’s contract with his club Al-NassR FC expires at the end of the month.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had recently fueled speculation that the offensive star could play at the club World Cup, which was soon started, for which Al-NassR is not qualified. There were discussions and offers, Ronaldo had explained before the final against Spain. But his decision is, so to speak, fixed. By Tuesday, participants can still sign new players for the club World Cup.