Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion on Sunday night as Portugal edged Spain on penalties to claim their second Nations League title.
The legendary captain once again declared that winning with his country surpasses all of his many club achievements.
Ronaldo’s 138th international goal helped Portugal claw back into the final, which ended 2-2 after extra time. Though the 40-year-old forward was substituted before the shootout, he watched from the sidelines as his team-mates converted all five penalties to seal the win.
The result sparked tears of joy from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has now lifted three major international trophies: Euro 2016, the inaugural Nations League in 2019, and now a second Nations League crown in 2025.
“What a joy,” Ronaldo said. “First of all for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, and for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends.
“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.”
É NOSSA!!!!!! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YPqYflKKiE
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 9, 2025
Ronaldo, who captained his country to glory once again, played through injury in the final, a sacrifice he said he was willing to make without hesitation.
“I had already felt it during the warm-up, I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it,” he revealed.
“It’s for a trophy, I had to play and I gave it my all.”
“We are a small people, but with very big ambition. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle in a national team.”
His future remains uncertain. Ronaldo recently ruled out participating in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, despite reported interest from multiple clubs competing in the 32-team tournament.
Al Nassr’s sporting director Fernando Hierro confirmed that while the Saudi club is negotiating a contract extension, there is serious competition from teams across the globe eager to lure the veteran star.
For now, though, Ronaldo is focused on the moment, not the next move.
“The future is short term,” he said. “Now is the time to rest well. I had the injury and that was the maximum, the maximum. I pushed, because for the national team you have to push.”
