Cristiano Ronaldo shows true colours dealing with pitch invader after extending record
Cristiano Ronaldo was approached by a pitch invader once again after scoring his record 133rd goal for Portugal in their 3-1 win away to Poland in the Nations League
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorCristiano Ronaldo has earned plaudits after delaying security so that a fan could take a selfie with him after running onto the pitch.
Ronaldo, 39, scored his record 133rd goal at international level on Saturday during Portugal's hard-fought 3-1 against Poland in Warsaw. Manchester City forward Bernardo Silva put Roberto Martinez's side ahead on 26 minutes before Ronaldo poached their second of the night after team-mate Rafael Leao had hit the post.
Poland pulled one back late in the second half through Piotr Zielinski before a controversial own goal from Southampton defender Jan Bendarek made it 3-1 in the dying embers. Ronaldo had been off the pitch for some time by that point, as Martinez substituted him in the 63rd minute to bring on Liverpool striker Diogo Jota.
While the game was paused and Ronaldo jogged off, a boy ran from the stands and got to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner before the chasing pack of security managed to. Ronaldo quickly put his hand on the boy's shoulder and gestured for them to wait.
Only after the photo was taken did the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid megastar allow security to drag the boy away. "Ronaldo is keeping it classy," one fan posted on social media. "He's always thinking of the fans," another added. "That's legendary! Gotta love when players show some love to the fans," a third hailed.
Ronaldo's goal helped Portugal maintain their 100 per recent record in this year's Nations League, and they look set to be in the knockouts come March. Poland did, however, get a foothold in the game after the 39-year-old's substitution.
Robert Lewandowski headed just wide before Zielinski netted, while the hosts believe that they should've had a penalty in the build-up to Bednarek's own goal. "It's part of managing players when you have two games in 72 hours," Martinez explained of his decision, with Portugal now preparing to face Scotland on Glasgow in Tuesday.
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"Diogo Jota came on very well. Cristiano is perfect. The first half was very good. We controlled the game, created opportunities, had very good synchronisation as a team, defended Poland's strengths very well and scored great goals. I'm happy with the new players who came in, it seems they have several international caps.
"Conceding a goal was a difficult moment, and it was great to see the reaction and score another goal. Overall, a very good performance. The challenge is two away games. 72 hours, recovering well. The players showed all their commitment during training and work at the Football City [in Lisbon]."
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