In 2013, during a preseason match between Real Madrid and Chelsea in the USA, 19-year-old Ronald Gjoka ran onto the pitch just to hug Cristiano Ronaldo.
He was arrested, spent a night in jail, and even faced deportation because he was an international student.
When Ronaldo found out, he personally signed a letter asking Miami prosecutors to drop the charges, describing Gjoka as respectful, non-violent, and deserving of a second chance.
The charges were eventually dropped.
After Portugal shockingly loss the Euro 2004 final to Greece....
It became a dream for Cristiano Ronaldo to win a trophy for Portugal
He was bent on at least winning a title for Portugal
The journey started at the 2006 FIFA World Cup but Portugal finished fourth
The year 2006 also signaled the end of the 'Luis Figo golden generation'
The search for a first ever title for Portugal continued at the 2008 Euros, yet again, Portugal fell short at the quarterfinal
FIFA 2010 World Cup was worse, Portugal crashed in the second round to Spain
Euro 2012 offered another opportunity. Portugal lost out to Spain on penalties
At that time, it became increasingly difficult for Ronaldo to win anything with Portugal
The 2014 FIFA World Cup was a huge disappointment, Portugal didn't even get out of the group stage
By 2014, CR7 had carried a injury that will slow down his pace for four years
Now, that more trouble Portugal but he will still show up and kept the dream alive
Euro 2016, against all odds was when the glory final came
With the Euros expanded to 24 teams, Portugal finished third in thier group and qualified as best losers
The Selecao knocked out Croatia and Poland in the second round and quarter final respectively
In the penalty shootout against Poland, Joao Moutinho who had missed the fourth penalty against Spain in the semis at Euro 2012 was scared to play a penalty kick
Ronaldo encouraged him and said;
"Joao, Joao. Come take it, come take it. You take it well
"If we lose, so be it. Show personality. Go"
Moutinho got motivated and scored
Up next was Wales in the semis. Ronaldo with his trademark jump and thumping header set them on course before Nani scored a second to take Portugal to the final
Waiting for Portugal in the final was the host France
Psychology sets in, France had beaten Portugal in the semis at Euro 2000 and 2026 FIFA World Cup respectively
In front of their home fans, Portugal had no chance
To make the matter worse, Dimitri Payet collided into Ronaldo's knee early in the first half, and he has to be substituted before the 20th minute
Portugal will have to play the entire final without their talismanic captain
It felt like their back was against the wall, but they fought like lions that had nothing to loose
The Portuguese players were dying on the pitch and held France to a goalless draw in 90 minutes
Up next is extra time but can they hold on against a rampaging French team
In the first half of extra time, the magic goal came from the foot of an unlikely source - his name Eder
Strong and powerful, he fought his way off two defenders before unleashing a 25 yards drive into the net in the 110th minute
France has been stunned and the next 10 minutes was the greatest battle for the Portuguese
William Cavalho was screening well, Pepe bled and put his body on the line, Jose Fonte brought in the sliding tackles, Rui Patricio made unbelievable saves
120 minutes, the French team couldn't get an equalizer and game over
Portugal became European Champions
A first ever senior title in Portuguese history
A dream that looked impossible has been achieved, Ronaldo had his dream materialize
After Euros, CR7 thanked everyone.
From the coaching crew to the players to the drivers even to the cleaners for the great achievement
2016 was that year
European Championship was the trophy
It was the biggest achievement in Portugal's history
I think its Yahoo boys that's making some of you clowns
You are a security man
You see me 10 times, you beg and hail me 10 times
You sell shoes 85k I can get on Temu for 50k with free delivery
You open a restaurant and use plastic takeaway to sell one plate of Egusi soup for 18k.
Just because Yahoo boys are tipping you everytime you hail them or because Yahoo boys are buying 5$ Chinese sneakers for 85k or because Yahoo boys mostly do not have taste and will accept 18k soup in a black SUP plastic takeaway
That does not mean we are all Yahoo boys
I am not giving you shishi unless you earn it. If you like hail me 1 million times
I will buy my cheap Chinese shoes on Temu and I will not accept an SUP for an 18k soup
He was 27 at that point
He had only 1 UCL and 1 BDO compared to Messi’s 3 UCL and 4 BDO.
He was taunted and humiliated every time by the media but refused to back down until he leveled it to 5-5 BDOs with 5 UCLs
Nothing you’ll tell me- that’s the greatest player ever!