Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion after leading his team to victory against Spain in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday. The 40-year-old star described the triumph as "duty done" following a dramatic penalty shootout win.
Ronaldo, who scored his 138th international goal to force the match into penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, was seen in tears as Portugal converted all five spot kicks to secure their second Nations League title.
"Nothing Better Than Winning for Portugal"
Speaking to Sport TV after the match, Ronaldo expressed his overwhelming joy: "What a joy. First of all for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends."
The football icon emphasized that representing his country holds special significance for him. "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 said.
Ronaldo added: "When you talk about Portugal it is always a special feeling. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle in a national team."
Dramatic Final
The match was filled with tension as both teams battled to a 2-2 draw before heading to penalties. Ronaldo's crucial goal helped Portugal stay in the contest, though he watched the shootout from the sidelines as his teammates secured the victory.
In a separate interview, Ronaldo revealed he had played through an injury during the match, highlighting his determination to help his country claim the trophy.
The win marks Portugal's second UEFA Nations League title, further cementing Ronaldo's legacy as one of the greatest players in international football history.
Meanwhile, Spain's Alvaro Morata expressed uncertainty about his international future after missing a penalty in the shootout.
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