Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Cristiano Ronaldo mocks Portugal team-mate in new training clip

mirror.co.uk, 29 March 2022, 18:11
Pressure is on Portugal to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with a play-off game against North Macedonia in their way - but Cristiano Ronaldo clearly isn't feeling any worries Taken from twitter https://twitter.com/Arsenalnewschan/status/1508500116889608195 Cristiano Ronaldo banters Cedric Soares in Portugal training

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in a jovial mood prior to Portugal's crunch tie against North Macedonia on Tuesday night. With the teams warming up earlier in the day, the Manchester United frontman poked fun at Cedric Soares for his jump technique.

The 2016 European champions have one last hurdle left in their quest to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar this winter. After beating Turkey 3-1 last week, they must now take on European minnows North Macedonia in a surprise finale.

It comes after the Lynxes sent Italy packing after a phenomenal 1-0 victory over the European champions in Sicily. It means that Roberto Mancini's men - who beat England to claim the European Championship last year - will not appear in successive World Cup tournaments for the first time in their history.

And they are not finished yet, having warned Portugal that they will be in for a hell of a final with the pressure all on the Selecao. But Ronaldo has been in high-pressure situations before and this is no different.

In fact, the 37-year-old looked so relaxed during the warm-up tonight that he even had time to mock his Portuguese team-mate Cedric. During what appeared to be a small game of headers, the Arsenal defender's jump barely reached off the ground.

And Ronaldo immediately started laughing at the 30-year-old before reenacting the right-back's attempt at a jump. For a player like Ronaldo, who can seemingly touch the heavens with every leap, it must have been bizarre to see someone so low.

Portugal are hosting North Macedonia - who are ranked 67th in the world - at Porto and this might be Ronaldo's last chance to play at the World Cup. He will be 41 before the next competition and while that might not put him off, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has told the fans tonight to welcome the Macedonians to hell.

"I urge the fans - I want hell breaking loose at Dragao [Stadium]," the Portuguese captain said. "I went to bed last night thinking that I want the stadium to shut down the music for our national anthem and let the fans sing it acapella to show our passion, our strength and union around the objective of reaching the World Cup.

"For us, this game is a matter of life and death. There is a responsibility to win this game. For us, also a game of our lives. They have surprised [opponents] in many games but I believe they will not surprise us."

Top News

10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid have reportedly renewed their interest in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 is nearly upon us and the excitement is building among the 24 nations bidding to come out on top at this summer's tournament. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out of Euro 2024 due to an ankle injury. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 is just around the corner and the excitement is building among the 24 nations vying for glory at this summer's tournament. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly still interested in signing Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ecuador and Bolivia continue their preparations for the 2024 Copa America when they square off at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania on Thursday. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly set their captain Nacho Fernandez a deadline to decide on his future at the club, with his current contract due to end on June 30. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Julian Alvarez has refuted rumours that he is seeking a move away from Manchester City, stating that he is "comfortable and happy" at the Etihad Stadium. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are planning to hijack Bayern Munich's attempt to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, according to a report. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brazil head coach Dorival Junior may decide to recall Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to his starting lineup for Thursday's friendly fixture against the USA at Camping World Stadium in Florida. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk USA conclude their preparations ahead of hosting the 2024 Copa America when they welcome South American giants Brazil to Camping World Stadium in Florida on Thursday. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are set to be active in the summer transfer window as they endeavour to retain the Premier League title and compete for silverware in other domestic and continental competitions in 2024-25. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are set to be active in the summer transfer window as they endeavour to retain the Premier League title and compete for silverware in other domestic and continental competitions in 2024-25. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A Chelsea defender has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Bayern Munich. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk While a handful of true global stars are not present in Germany for Euro 2024, most of football's top talents will be there, proudly representing their nation on the big stage. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Highly-rated young manager Will Still has been appointed head coach of Ligue 1 outfit Lens, despite holding lengthy talks over taking the Sunderland job. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly agreed a 'pact' with Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz ahead of a transfer in 2025. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly set a deadline for their first signing of the summer transfer window. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United have reportedly added West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen to a three-man shortlist of right-wingers ahead of the summer transfer window. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have potentially suffered a blow ahead of pre-season after one of their attackers sustained an injury while on international duty. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol is looking forward to an "awesome" encounter with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Group F of Euro 2024 this summer. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Scotland assistant coach John Carver has issued an injury update on star defender Andrew Robertson, who limped out of first-team training on Monday morning. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Gareth Southgate has called up a Manchester United veteran to his Euro 2024 squad as a "training" player while his side go for glory in Germany. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France head coach Didier Deschamps has addressed injury fears regarding star attacker Kylian Mbappe ahead of Euro 2024. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has reportedly made a decision over his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have seemingly suffered a blow in their pursuit of a defensive transfer target this summer. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly prepared to offer €10m (£8.5m) plus Raphinha for one of Manchester United's rising stars in this summer's transfer window. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly begun discussions to sell one of their out-of-favour defenders who blasted the club's transfer stance in a recent interview.