Cameras saw Cristiano Ronaldo helping a crippled boy onto the pitch before Portugal’s final Euro 2024 warm-up match.
The Al-Nassr star was picked to the starting lineup for their encounter against Ireland on Tuesday evening, as they ramp up their preparations for the summer championship.
While many expected Ronaldo to create headlines during the game, his activities leading up to it drew notice.
In a video released on X, Ronaldo was seen assisting a crippled mascot in a wheelchair onto the pitch for the game at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro.
Then, in a different video released to the social networking platform, Ronaldo was seen holding her hand throughout Portugal’s national anthem.
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Cristiano Ronaldo helped a disabled mascot onto the pitch before his side’s clash with Ireland
His pre-match actions must have brought him good luck in their encounter against Ireland, as he scored a fantastic goal in the second half.
The 39-year-old grabbed the ball on the right side before cutting in and firing an unstoppable shot into the top-left corner of Ireland’s goal.
He then doubled his score for the evening with a left-footed shot into the top-right corner after being picked out inside the box.
Earlier in the game, Ronaldo hit the post with a long-range free-kick that appeared to be headed for the goal.
In recent days, several have questioned whether Ronaldo should play in Portugal’s opening group games in Germany this summer, with Arsenal icon Paul Merson suggesting that he would sideline the five-time Champions League winner during the group stage.
However, speaking ahead of their match against Ireland, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said the experienced forward still in his plans.
Tomorrow, we have Rúben [Dias], Pepe, and Cristiano. It’s an ideal game to give minutes to the starters, but they will get them,’ the Portugal manager remarked at a press conference on Monday.
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Ronaldo scored twice in the second-half including a stunning long-range effort
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There have been arguments about whether Ronaldo should play in Portugal’s starting lineup.
Ronaldo has also been in excellent form for his club this season, netting 44 goals in 45 games across all competitions for Al-Nassr, and Martinez has stressed that his experience and leadership characteristics are valuable to this team.
‘It is important for us to attack and defend with eleven. Cristiano has brutal experience. There is no other with this experience. He is a player who knows very well how to use space in the area and is a special finisher, a special player.
‘Cristiano’s focus, reaction to loss and defensive positions were perfect during the games we played, the last eleven games. So for me, there are no doubts, there are no worries.’
