Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show during the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain yesterday, Sunday, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
The match was very exciting and ended with Portugal winning the title after winning on penalties (5-3), following a 2-2 draw in regular and extra time.
Ronaldo was one of the heroes of the match, bringing Portugal back into the game with an equalizer in the 61st minute, before leaving the field injured in the 88th minute, to be replaced by Goncalo Ramos.
This title is the Portuguese star's first since winning the Coppa Italia with Juventus in 2021, and adds it to his list of continental achievements, which includes the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
But what sparked even more controversy and engagement than his performance on the pitch was his appearance on the bench during the penalty shootout, raising his hands in a position resembling an Islamic supplication. This prompted many social media followers to question whether Ronaldo had been influenced by Islamic culture, or had even converted to Islam, especially given his current experience with Saudi club Al-Nassr since January 2023.
The photos and videos quickly spread across social media platforms, with some believing the act to have religious significance, while others viewed it as a natural human expression of tension and the desire to win during crucial moments.
The Don is known for keeping his private life away from the media, and has always shown remarkable respect for other beliefs and cultures, especially in his new environment in Saudi Arabia.
In this match, Spain scored first through Martin Zubimendi in the 21st minute, then Nuno Mendes equalized for Portugal just five minutes later.
Spain returned to the lead through Oyarzabal before the end of the first half, but Ronaldo equalized in the 61st minute.
In the penalty shootout, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa made a crucial save, before Ruben Neves completed the scoring, giving Portugal the title.
