Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo moved to console goalkeeper Diogo Costa after the full-time whistle of his side’s opening World Cup clash against Ghana.
Ronaldo had become the first player to score in five different World Cups when he netted a controversial penalty in the 65th minute - with the kick awarded after Ronaldo had been judged to have been tripped by Southampton defender Mohamed Salisu.
The Portuguese superstar ended his relationship with Manchester United by mutual consent this week, following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. He has now switched fully to international mode and is aiming to break multiple different World Cup records.
Yet he was substituted off in the closing stages of his nation’s opening day victory over Ghana when Fernando Santos’s side were 3-1 up and seemingly cruising to the triumph. However, a late goal from Osman Bukari set up a nervy finish for Portugal.
The nerves were evident in the closing minutes and Inaki Williams almost earned a sensational late equaliser for the African side, as he stood behind Portugal goalkeeper Costa before craftily winning the ball back from the Porto shot-stopper by his subtle run from behind the goalkeeper to win the ball.
However, Williams slipped when he won the ball and Portugal were able to scramble the ball clear and hang on to victory. Costa was left shaky after the minute due to the fact he had almost thrown the game away for his side and suffered an embarrassing World Cup moment, yet he survived.
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After the final whistle blew, Ronaldo went on to the pitch and straight to Costa – whom he confronted with comforting words and told him that he should not be negatively impacted by it, and just laugh at the situation because he got away with the error.
Ronaldo said to the goalkeeper: “You have to laugh, we won, did you concede a goal?” To which Costa responded: “No, but he was close.” Cristiano: “Then? You have to laugh, we win! Another victory and we go, you can laugh, let's go! We won.”
There will continue to be an intense focus on Ronaldo’s future at club level, with Real Madrid ruling out a return for their club-record goalscorer. His mother's club Sporting Lisbon have also distanced themselves from making a move while Bayern Munich poured cold water on speculation.
