Cristiano Ronaldo honoured his father by dedicating his winning goal against Al-Rayyan of Qatar in the AFC Champions League on Monday.
Instead of his usual yet iconic "Siu" celebration, the Portuguese star raised both arms to the sky after scoring. Ronaldo later shared that the gesture was a tribute to his late father on his birthday, expressing his wish that his father could have been there to witness the moment.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently shared the inspiration behind his new celebration, explaining that it holds special significance as it coincides with his late father's birthday. He expressed his long-standing wish for his father to witness his success at the highest level and fondly recalled his desire for his father to be present on his birthday.
“Today's goal has a different flavor… I wish my father was alive because today is his birthday," Ronaldo said
"To be the number one and he don't see nothing, and he don't see to receive awards, to see what I became,” Ronaldo had once said when talking about his father.
The day would have marked Cristiano Ronaldo's father, José Aveiro's 71st birthday. His father, José Aveiro, passed away in 2005 and wasn't able to witness his son's incredible football career.
Ronaldo can't stop Scoring
Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to excel in football, proving doubters wrong, even after moving to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo's exceptional goal-scoring abilities have silenced any speculation about his performance in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr has competed in 5 fixtures in the current Saudi Pro League season and currently holds the 4th position in the standings. Cristiano Ronaldo leads his team as the top scorer, having already netted 5 goals for his club in the new season of the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League.