Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in an awkward moment at Portugal’s team hotel after a fan attempted to take a selfie with him on the eve of their World Cup qualifier against Armenia.
Footage showed the 40-year-old forward walking through the lobby when a supporter approached with his phone.
As the fan tried to take a picture, Ronaldo pushed him away before continuing on his path, calmly sipping from a drink as he left the building.
The Al-Nassr striker, who remains one of the most recognisable athletes in the world, is often mobbed by supporters in public settings.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Portugal in their World Cup qualifying win over Armenia
|REUTERS
He has a history of interacting with pitch invaders, sometimes posing for photographs before security staff intervene.
On this occasion, however, Ronaldo appeared unwilling to engage as he prepared for international duty.
The incident came on Friday, one day before Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Armenia at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan.
Ronaldo went on to make his 222nd appearance for his country, marking the occasion with two goals.
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His first arrived in the 21st minute, a symbolic number for Portugal following the tragic death of Diogo Jota earlier this summer.
Jota, who previously wore the No 21 shirt for the national team, died in a car accident in Spain in July.
Current holder Ruben Neves adopted the number in tribute to his former Wolverhampton Wanderers team-mate, with whom he shared promotion to the Premier League in 2018.
Neves has also honoured Jota with a tattoo of the pair embracing.
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Ronaldo pushed a fan trying to take a picture😭
— S🕊️🇸🇪 (@8bdrssss) September 5, 2025
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Ronaldo’s second goal came just after half-time, a powerful strike from outside the box that underlined his enduring quality at the highest level.
Team-mates also paid their respects to Jota during the match. João Cancelo mimicked the late forward’s trademark video game celebration after scoring, while former Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares said the team felt Jota’s presence.
“We’re all very happy because it shows he’s [Jota] with us, that he was there, and that moment, Ronaldo’s goal, was made possible,” Tavares said.
“He’ll always be with us, as was clear today.”
Ronaldo’s brace lifted his international tally to 140 goals, extending his record as the most prolific scorer in men’s international football.
It also moved him onto 38 goals in World Cup qualifiers, surpassing Lionel Messi’s 36 and leaving him just one behind the all-time leader, Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz.
The result strengthened Portugal’s push toward qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with Ronaldo again central to their success.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong for Portugal at the age of 40
|REUTERS
At 40, the veteran forward continues to combine off-field attention with on-field influence, adding another milestone to a career already defined by longevity and records.
For Portugal, the night served both as a routine victory and a poignant tribute, with Jota’s memory clearly woven into their performance.
For Ronaldo, it was another demonstration of his ability to deliver on the pitch, even in the twilight years of his career.