EURO2024
Even teammates are amazed by the Ronaldo effect
A fan sprints onto the training ground in Gütersloh and hugs Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo
© Hassan Ammar/AP/dpa
Cristiano Ronaldo inspires fans – even in East Westphalia. The influence of the superstar is explained by someone who plays for one of the top clubs in Europe.
Even the players of the Portuguese national football team are sometimes amazed at the almost unlimited enthusiasm for their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Thousands of fans attended the arrival of the team with the 39-year-old captain, thousands of fans at the first public training session in the packed Heidewaldstadion in Gütersloh – and most of them had probably come for Ronaldo.
One fan even sprinted onto the training pitch and hugged the superstar, and security forces quickly intervened. The stands were full, and exorbitant prices had been asked on the black market for the Portuguese team’s first public training session with Ronaldo. The players thanked the audience for their enthusiasm with a large banner.
Move to Saudi Arabia does not dampen fascination
“Cris has a big influence on that,” said fellow selection member Vitinha (24) from Paris Saint-Germain at a Portuguese press conference about the reception by the fans. The move to the Saudi Arabian league has not diminished the fascination for superstar CR7. Quite the opposite.
It could also be due to scenes like the 3-0 win against Ireland in the last friendly match. Ronaldo drove the electric wheelchair in which a girl accompanied him as he entered the stadium and also took care of her in other touching ways.
Ronaldo also underlined in sporting terms why, at 39 years and over four months old, he is still one of the best of the best. He scored two goals and was an integral part of the Portuguese team’s game, after doubts had previously arisen about his performance due to the lower ranking in the Saudi Arabian league. There, he scored 44 goals in 45 games across all competitions last season.
“It’s incredible that he is being recognized all over the world for his career and what he continues to do,” said Vitinha, who is 15 years younger. “We hope that he will be a great help to our team. But we are also here to help him so that we can go as far as possible together.” In Group F, the Portuguese will face the Czech Republic in Leipzig on Tuesday.