Cristiano, tears in Seville and the ‘injustiça’ against Spain

Without time to test the lawn of Benito Villamarín or give a previous press conference, Portugal landed this Wednesday afternoon in Seville with Cristiano Ronaldo as a star, in his usual plan. The Funchal star has experienced many smiles, most with Real Madrid, and some recent tears in the city of Guadalquivir. Less than a year ago, in La Cartuja, Belgium eliminated the Portuguese team (1-0) in the round of 16 of Euro 2020 with a goal from Thorgan Hazard, Eden’s brother. Cristiano was powerless against the network of Belgian central defenders and left upset: they had lowered the reigning champion.

As a madridista, it’s nothing new, Seville has been a garden for Cristiano, who has scored 18 goals between Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán (13) and the stadium where he plays tonight, Villamarín. 5 points and three assists with Real Madrid light up the Portuguese star at the Heliopolis Coliseum.

Facing Spain will also arouse mixed feelings in Cristiano. From the Portuguese victory (0-1) in the group stage of Euro 2004, held in the neighboring country, until the hat-trick of the Madeiran in 3-3 of the group stage of the 2018 World Cup of Russia, going through the last two Iberian clashes, settled with zero draws in two friendlies during 2020 and 2021.

Ronaldo did not score in the 1-0 round of 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa that Spain ended up lifting and could not manage to take the fifth penalty of the semifinal round of Euro 2012, with Spanish victory as well. “Injustiça” (injustice) was recorded shouting at the now Manchester United striker moments after that setback in Ukraine.