Yes, you Cristiano! Even Ronaldo can’t get away with not wearing a mask as he gets a telling off in the stands while watching Portugal beat Croatia – after missing the game with an injury caused by a BEE STING
- Cristiano Ronaldo was absent for Portugal on Saturday with a right toe infection
- The Portugal skipper watched his side beat Croatia 4-1 from the stands in Porto
- Yet the Juventus star had to be reminded by a health official to wear a face-mask
- After being originally surprised, Ronaldo duly obliged and wore the covering
Whether you’re a global superstar or not, you still have to abide by the current coronavirus rules and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was given a stern reminder on Saturday whilst watching his country in the empty stands!
Juventus star Ronaldo, who sat out the encounter with a toe infection, was present as Portugal thumped World Cup runners-up Croatia 4-1 in Porto, with Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo scoring a stunner for the hosts.
But during the match, the 35-year-old looked somewhat surprised when a health official approached to tell him to put on a face-covering, but after a moment of hesitancy, he duly obliged and wore the mask provided.
Cristiano Ronaldo was approached by a health official in the stands during Saturday’s game
The Portugal captain seemed surprised at first but then picked up a face-mask next to him
Ronaldo put on the face-mask after the instruction and watched his side beat Croatia 4-1
Ronaldo picked up an infection on his right toe and is set to miss Tuesday’s match against Sweden too, with manager Fernando Santos unconvinced that he will be ‘100 per cent OK’ to play.
Speaking to reporters before Saturday’s win against Croatia, Santos said: ‘I am very doubtful that he will be 100 per cent OK.
‘He had been training well, then suddenly on Wednesday one of his toes was red, as if he’d been stung by a bee.
‘Now we have to wait. With an infection, you don’t know how long the recovery is going to take.’
Missing both games would cause great frustration for Ronaldo as he continues to stay patient in a bid to reach 100 international goals.
Ronaldo was unavailable for the Nations League clash due to a mystery toe infection
Portugal boss Fernando Santos likened the redness of Ronaldo’s infection to a bee sting
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ronaldo has been stuck on 99 goals for 10 months and this international break on the eve of the new season has provided him with the first opportunity to tally up a century of strikes for Portugal.
His 99th goal came against Luxembourg in a 2-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win on November 17.
Portugal won the Nations League last year with Ronaldo playing a starring role, hitting a hat-trick in the semi-final, and so his absence to start their Nations League defence is a major disappointment for Santos – though the Portuguese did not miss him on Saturday night.