Tearful Ronaldo says "job is done" after leading Portugal to Nations League trophy

Ronaldo leads Portugal to Nations League glory, scores despite injury, reflects on emotional win, and hints at Club World Cup offers.

Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Nations League trophy after helping Portugal past Spain on Sunday in Germany. (Photo credit: BBC)

After leading Portugal to the UEFA Nations League success on Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo has said he needs time to heal after playing the final through injury.

The Portuguese legend sent the game against Spain into extra time on Sunday with what was his 138th international goal and was substituted after his injury got aggravated, and he watched from the sidelines as the rest of the team did justice to the penalty shootout, scoring all five to win the trophy.

Ronaldo was left in tears after winning the third international honour of his glittering career with Sunday’s victory over Spain in Germany coming after the 2016 Euro championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.

"What a joy," Ronaldo told Sport TV. "First of all, for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here; my wife, my brother, and my friends.

"Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It's tears. It's duty done and a lot of joy.

"When you talk about Portugal, it is always a special feeling. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle for a national team."

Arsenal-bound Martin Zubimendi rolled Spain in front on Sunday before arguably the best left back in the world, PSG’s Nuno Mendes, levelled matters, only for Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal to send the Spaniards in front as the half ended in favour of La Roja.

The game became cagey, and then things went from end to end. All eyes were on Lamine Yamal, but it was the 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo who stole the show with the leveller after the hour mark, and he was substituted just before the end of normal time due to injury as the game went into extra time.

"I had already felt it during the warmup; I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it," Ronaldo said. "I had to play for a trophy, and I gave it everything I had."

"It's for our nation. We are a small people, but with a very big ambition. The future is short-term. Now is the time to rest well. I had the injury, and that was the maximum, the maximum.

"I pushed, because for the national team you have to push."

It’s now left to be seen if Ronaldo will be at the Club World Cup after confirming he received offers already from teams going to the competition, which starts next weekend in the United States.