“I felt freer than usual” - Cristiano Ronaldo explains how Portugal playing differently than Euro 2024 helped him get ‘better’ in win over Croatia
Cristiano Ronaldo is relishing the freedom he had on the pitch during Portugal's UEFA Nations League opener against Croatia. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he's delighted about his increased involvement in the game.
Roberto Martinez's men secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday night (September 5), courtesy of goals from Diogo Dalot and Ronaldo.
After the game, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke about the differences in Portugal's playing styles at the ongoing tournament and the 2024 European Championships.
He told reporters (via Portuguese outlet O Jogo):
"I felt freer than usual in this game. The coach also gave me that opportunity and we also played, in my opinion, a little differently to what we played in the European Championship. We made a lot of changes, the players were freer on the pitch and when that happens, it's better for me, I'll be honest. I feel better, I feel more involved in the game and I can enjoy football more."
The Real Madrid legend added:
“It's not that I didn't enjoy it in the European Championship, but I like being a free player, I like to make space for my teammates too and today was a performance that the team performed very well. It's no coincidence, for example, that Diogo Dalot scored, he's a defender, but he appeared up front. That says a lot about the mobility the team had on the pitch today and I'm happy about that, not only because the team played an excellent game, but also because they scored the 900th goal.”
Portugal will next face Scotland in the Nations League on Sunday (September 8).
"I don’t break records... they haunt me!" - Cristiano Ronaldo makes emphatic claim after scoring 900th career goal
Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net against Croatia after converting an excellent assist from Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner broke yet another record in the process.
He scored a record-extending 900th career goal, maintaining his spot as the top goalscorer of all time, 62 goals ahead of Lionel Messi. After the game, the Portuguese superstar said of his achievement (via talkSPORT):
"900 goals seems like any other milestone. but only I know how hard it is to work every day to score your 900th goal. It's a unique milestone in my career."
He then said it is the records that chase him and not the other way around, as he explained how his consistent discipline and work ethic earned him the accolade.
"I don’t break records... they haunt me!"