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Why Cristiano Ronaldo Stands Sideways During Portugal’s National Anthem

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Cristiano Ronaldo is likely playing in his last-ever World Cup this summer. His first involvement in a major tournament for Portugal came in Euro 2004, while he won the European Championships competition in 2016, he’s never got his hands on the biggest prize.

Indeed, this will be the sixth World Cup Ronaldo has played in, and almost certainly his final chance to win it. Across the past editions, he’s scored eight goals and picked up two assists in 22 games, but has never made it past the semi-finals. Portugal came fourth in Germany 2006, crashed out at the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2018, didn’t even make it out of the group in 2014, and went out at the quarters in 2022.

Now 41, the Saudi Pro League star is very much past his prime, but will still expect to make a big impact this summer. In fairness, he has scored 10 goals in his last 10 international outings going into the tournament, which suggests he could yet be a real threat for the Portuguese.

At Euro 2024, however, Ronaldo struggled, failing to score as he started all five games before his team were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals. He made plenty of headlines that summer, but one interesting thing eagle-eyed viewers spotted was that he stood at a slightly different angle from his teammates during the Portugal national anthem ahead of kick-off. It’s likely to happen again at the 2026 World Cup, but why does CR7 do it?

Why Cristiano Ronaldo Stands Sideways During Portugal National Anthem

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the national anthems

As the Portuguese team line up, side by side to sing ‘A Portuguesa’, Ronaldo instead often chooses to stand sideways in the lineup. He does so as a way of showing how much love and respect he has for his nation.

Indeed, the Al Nassr striker positions himself differently to make sure that he is facing the Portugal flag wherever it is flying in the stadium. Beyond anything else, this is simply an act of patriotism.

This has been a tradition of the captain throughout his career as a sign of respect for his home nation. Some may laugh at this idiosyncratic behaviour, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt the veteran forward.

Indeed, Ronaldo has scored more goals for Portugal than any other player in international football. In fact, he’s scored more goals in the sport than anyone else, so his methods ought not to be questioned when it comes to pre-game superstitions.

Ronaldo’s International Record

Games

227

Goals

143

Assists

46

Major Tournaments

11*

Tournament Wins

1 (Euro 2016)

*Will become 12 once Ronaldo plays at the 2026 World Cup

Roberto Martinez Backs Ronaldo: ‘Age is Only a Number’

A custom image of Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez and Bruno Fernandes

Ronaldo won Euro 2016 but was injured during the final. His absence in that game may be pointed out by those critics who suggest Portugal would be better off without him. Manager Roberto Martinez is often questioned about the matter, but has insisted that the 41-year-old is in the team based on merit, not reputation.

Speaking to the press about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ahead of the tournament, the Portugal manager explained:

“We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure.

“Age is only a number. Certainly in the national team we can measure exactly what’s happening on the day, and ​you make the decisions for the next day. You never look any longer than the next day.”

Portugal come up against DR Congo in their first Group K match, before meeting Uzbekistan and Colombia. Ronaldo will almost certainly start some of those games, and it will be interesting to see how he lines up during the national anthem.

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Tottenham Agree £34m Cristian Romero Deal

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Inter Milan have an agreement in principle to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero for a fee in the region of €40million (£34million), according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari.

Despite contributing to nine goals in his 32 appearances across all competitions, Romero endured a turbulent 2025/26 season as Spurs almost lost their Premier League status. The Argentine is subsequently looking for a new home, and the North London club are willing to sanction his departure after signing two new centre-backs this summer.

Inter have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to land Romero, holding direct talks with Tottenham over a prospective deal in recent days.

While negotiations on the player’s side remain ongoing, it’s now understood that the two clubs have reached a consensus on the proposed fee.

De Zerbi has made moves in the transfer window to replace Cristian Romero

Tottenham Hotspur Cristian Romero warms up

Roberto De Zerbi has sought something of a rebuild in his defensive department this summer. Jan Paul van Hecke has been signed from Brighton for £52million, while Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have both arrived on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool, respectively.

Inevitably, this volume of additions in this area of the pitch means players will need to make way. Djed Spence has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as Inter, although the most likely player to depart has always been Romero.

The ‘world-class’ 28-year-old has been flirting with an exit for some time, and it finally appears to be close to coming to fruition. Credible reporter Longari suggests that while Romero remains interested in a dream switch to Barcelona, he’s edging closer to plying his trade in Northern Italy next season.

Inter and Spurs have agreed on a price of £34million for the World Cup winner, once described by Lionel Messi as the “best defender in the world”, and while talks between the Serie A giants and the player’s representatives about wages remain ongoing, a deal looks increasingly likely to materialise.

John Stones is also closing in on a move to Inter, who are also looking to renovate their back line.

Tottenham might be better off without Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero in action for Tottenham Hotspur via Reuters

Romero has largely been a good servant for Tottenham, but they are undoubtedly making the correct decision in choosing to move on from him.

From a squad-building perspective, Romero is 28, the club’s second-highest earner and has consistently expressed a desire to leave, so accepting an offer of around £34 million for him makes perfect sense.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Additionally, De Zerbi is probably somewhat relieved to rid himself of a player who was, at times, something of a liability from a disciplinary standpoint. The Argentina international has been sent off six times across all competitions in his five years in North London.

This reckless and rash behaviour has held Spurs back on several occasions, and they’re replacing him with Senesi and Van Hecke, neither of whom has a reputation for ill discipline.

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Vinicius Jr’s Future Becomes Clear in Sky Sports Update

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Vinicius Junior wants his Real Madrid future settled this summer, with the Brazilian keen to avoid any prospect of leaving the Bernabeu on a free transfer when his contract expires in 2027.

Arsenal have been alerted to the situation as they look to add a genuine world-class forward to their ranks, with reports suggesting the move has been sanctioned “at all levels” of the Emirates hierarchy and that Mikel Arteta is fully behind the idea of bringing the 26-year-old to north London.

Newly appointed Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be firmly against losing his star forward, and Vinicius himself is said to have prioritised thrashing out fresh terms, rather than testing the market.

The Gunners remain undeterred, though, and are reportedly prepared to offer wages that could exceed 350,000-a-week, a package that would make him the best-paid player at the club, and second only to Erling Haaland in the entire Premier League.

What Vinicius Junior Has Told His Friends

Vinicius Junior celebrating after scoring against Mallorca

Fresh contract talks are expected once Vinicius returns from an extended break following the World Cup, with both parties keen to find a resolution quickly.

According to AS editor-in-chief Tomas Roncero, the forward’s stance is rooted in a sense of debt to the club that signed him as an 18-year-old from Flamengo. Speaking on Cadena SER’s El Larguero programme, Roncero said Vinicius had been telling those in his inner circle:

“I can’t leave Madrid for free because Madrid took me in when I was 18, from a humble family, with a difficult social and personal situation, and they believed in me.”

Roncero was careful to stress this was secondhand, adding: “I’m saying what he’s telling his friends.”

He added: “They paid €45m euros when it was just a gamble, a promise, nothing more. Madrid has given me everything, I can’t leave without leaving a single euro in the bank.”

Arsenal Already Reshaping Their Front Line

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on ahead of Champions League final vs Paris St Germain

Roncero stopped short of speaking for Vinicius’s representatives, noting:

“Maybe his agents are more calculating when it comes to negotiations. But that’s what Vinicius is saying, that he can’t leave Madrid for free.”

Since arriving from Flamengo in 2017, Vini has racked up 128 goals and 100 assists in 375 appearances, helping Madrid to 14 trophies, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs.

Arsenal have already been busy reinforcing their forward line this summer, signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for around £34m, while also bringing in goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free and completing a £35m permanent deal for Piero Hincapie.

Significant Blow For Arsenal in Vinicius Jr Race

Mikel Arteta

According to Sky Sports News, Real Madrid are now ‘confident he will sign that new deal’, with further talks expected later this week. Vinicius has so far failed to return to training after his post-World Cup holidays.

Dharmesh Sheth suggested the Gunners will already be prepared with alternative targets: “Arsenal will continue to keep an eye on Vinicius Jr’s situation still. He hasn’t signed that new contract yet. As it stands, he has a year left on his contract. That’s why they are exploring the conditions of a possible deal.

“How Andrea Berta does his business at Arsenal is very clear. It’s not about one target and then the risk of that target not coming. They try to get their ducks in a row with three or four deals.”

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Anthony Joshua Reveals If He Hates Tyson Fury

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Anthony Joshua has revealed how he truly feels about Tyson Fury ahead of their heavily-rumoured fight slated to take place at the end of the year.

After his one-sided victory over YouTuber Jake Paul and the tragic car crash in Nigeria in December 2025, Joshua returned to the ring when he took on Albanian Kristian Prenga.

A fight that seemed to be set up as a warm-up for the all-British heavyweight clash between Joshua and Fury, though the fight did not go exactly how Joshua would have wanted.

Joshua’s Chaotic Victory Over Prenga

In what was a blockbuster two-round contest, Joshua found himself on the floor from an uppercut by Prenga within 20 seconds of the first, before a flush right hook to the jaw saw the Watford man wobbling at the knees a minute later.

His showdown with Fury seemed to be up in smoke as the glove of Joshua touched the mat for a second knockdown towards the end of the round, having not recovered from the blows before.

A miraculous second round by Joshua saw a quick recovery and a push on the offensive, hitting Prenga with powerful blows, and with 30 seconds left of the second round, a flurry of blows by Joshua sent Prenga to the floor and ended a truly unpredictable affair.

A loss would have surely seen any chance of the once-in-a-generation fight against Fury off the cards. A rivalry spanning years, with mental gymnastics between the two taking place in interviews and on social media, in both playful and vicious ways.

​​​​​​​Anthony Joshua’s Honest Opinion of Tyson Fury

In an interview with The Stomping Ground, Joshua revealed what he truly feels about ‘The Gypsy King’:

“I don’t know him enough to hate him; I just want to beat him. It’s nothing personal. It’s all good, I don’t know why they’re so moody all the time. It’s only a fight.”

Speculation about the fight has been brewing for years, with fans expecting an undisputed world heavyweight championship fight when the pair controlled the heavyweight division in 2020.

Anthony Joshua Post-Fight Interview Credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Yet, it seems that both really want the fight as they approach the end of their careers, as Fury publicly called out Joshua after his victory against Arslanbek Makhmudov, saying:

“I want to give you the fight you’ve all been waiting for. I want you, AJ. Let’s give the fight fans what they want, the Battle of Britain.”

A call-out that Joshua replied to, saying: “I’ve never had a problem getting in the ring with you. I punched you up when we were kids, and after watching you here tonight I’ll punch you up again.”

Following Joshua’s victory, a planned date and location has emerged for the contest, meaning that the bout could be just a short time away.

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