The reason behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s hugely emotional celebration as he opened his AFC Champions League account

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered an emotional performance as he helped Al Nassr secure a 2-1 win over Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League. In the 78th minute, the 39-year-old forward curled a stunning left-footed strike to make it 2-0, marking his first goal of the competition this season.

Ronaldo, visibly moved, pointed to the skies, dedicating the goal to his late father, José Dinis Aveiro, who would have turned 71 on the day. After the game, he reflected on the personal significance of the goal: “Today’s goal has a different flavour and I wish my father was alive because today is his birthday.”

Sadio Mané had opened the scoring just before halftime, and Ronaldo’s second-half strike secured Al Nassr’s victory. Speaking about the match, Ronaldo acknowledged the challenge Al Rayyan posed but expressed his satisfaction with the win and his current enjoyment of the game, though he recognized his playing days are limited: “I’m enjoying playing football now and I know I don’t have much time left on the pitch.”

Ronaldo’s father passed away in 2005 from liver failure, missing out on seeing his son’s remarkable achievements, including five Champions League titles and five Ballon d’Or awards. Ronaldo, who was just 20 when his father died, has previously spoken about their strained relationship due to his father’s struggles with alcoholism. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo revealed, “I really don’t know my father 100 per cent… To be the number one and he don’t see nothing… it was hard.”

This goal, on his father’s birthday, clearly carried extra meaning for Ronaldo, highlighting the emotional weight of his continued success on the pitch.