Cristiano Ronaldo delighted fans by climbing through bushes for a picture before Portugal's Euro 2024 game with the Czech Republic.
Fans of the 39-year-old Al-Nassr striker were keen to catch a glimpse of the usually low-profile footballer as Portugal approached their first fixture of the tournament. But three supporters got their wish to meet the former Manchester United forward ahead of Tuesday's game, with Ronaldo going out of his way to greet them.
Photos on social media show Ronaldo making his way to a metal fence through shrubbery and greenery to take the time to meet with fans ahead of his nation's clash with Czechia. The striker's pearly whites beam alongside three delighted fans in the photo.
And fans of the star man were quick to share their praises on social media, with one writing: "Great display of character there Cristiano." While another went on: "Reason why is a big GOAT." A third added: "Man is selfless," while a fourth added: "He's a man with the heart of gold."
It comes after a training session in front of 8,000 spectators last week descended into chaos, as a number of fans ran onto the pitch to take selfies with Ronaldo. The incident left security struggling, although Wolves keeper Jose Sa was on hand to help save the day.
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Ronaldo climbed through a host of bushes to take a selfie with a group of young fans (x/centregoals)Video footage shoed the goalie sprinting to intercept one spectator who made their way onto the pitch, before tackling him away from the ground. Preparations would ultimately pay off for Portugal in the tournament after they ran out 2-1 victors over the Czech Republic in their opening fixture.
Ronaldo led the line for his nation, flanked by AC Milan winger Rafael Leao and Manchester City favourite Bernardo Silva - but the strike force struggled to penetrate the Czech backline for the most part. Trouble brewed for Portugal when Lukas Provod opened the scoring on the 62nd minute with a fantastic curled effort from the edge of the box before wheeling away in celebration.
Ronaldo met with fans in Germany (x/centregoals)Roberto Martinez's side worked their way back into the game seven minutes later, when a Leao header would bobble off keeper Jindrich Stanek before bouncing off Robin Hranac into the back of his own net. Portugal then had a goal ruled out when Ronaldo veered offside before heading off the post and setting Diogo Jota up, but they would still go on to win the game in dramatic fashion.
A sloppy interception by Hranac in the centre of his own box allowed Francisco Conceição pick the ball up, before hitting it with venom into the bottom corner deep into added time. Portugal will now face Turkey on Saturday, before their final Group F match against Georgia on Wednesday, June 26.
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