Cristiano Ronaldo displayed profound emotion following his standout performance in Al Nassr’s 2-1 victory over Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League, marking a significant moment for the superstar.
Back in action on Monday night, Ronaldo helped secure the win in their second game of the tournament this season. The match saw former Liverpool star Sadio Mane score the opener just before halftime, while Ronaldo followed suit, extending the lead with a breathtaking left-footed goal in the 78th minute, marking his first goal of the season in the competition.
As he celebrated, the 39-year-old pointed skyward, dedicating his goal to his late father, who would have turned 71 that day. Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Ronaldo stated, “Today’s goal carries a special meaning for me, and I wish my father were here to witness it since it’s his birthday.”
Discussing the match and his performance, he said, “It was a challenging game, but we were well-prepared and managed to come out on top. I’m enjoying playing football at this stage in my life, knowing that my time on the pitch is limited.”
Ronaldo’s father, José Dinis Aveiro, had a long struggle with alcoholism and passed away from liver failure in 2005, just two years after Ronaldo made the move to Manchester United. His father missed witnessing Ronaldo clinching five Champions League titles, five Ballon d’Or awards, and leading Portugal to victory in Euro 2016.
At just 20 years old when he lost his father, Ronaldo has been candid about their relationship. In an interview with Piers Morgan, he revealed the lack of a traditional father-son bond, stating, “I never had a normal conversation with him. It was tough for me.”
He added poignantly, “To be the number one and have him not see anything—he didn’t witness my achievements or the person I’ve become.”
Credit: Sport Bible
