Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a heartwarming message to the young mascot who accompanied him onto the pitch for Portugal’s World Cup qualifier on Saturday night.
The Nations league champions kicked off their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Armenia in Group F.
The 40-year-old netted his side’s second of the game with a close range tap-in before scoring his 140th international goal with a stunning strike from outside the area.
Fans were moved before the game kicked off when the mascot who entered the pitch with the Portugal captain was reduced to tears.
Ronaldo shared a video of the moment in which he can be seen comforting the child before sharing a joke and a hug.
He wrote: ‘I made a new friend yesterday. Grateful for the love and support every single day and I hope everyone gets to follow their dreams.
Cristiano Ronaldo sent a heartwarming message to the young mascot who accompanied him
Ronaldo was seen sharing a nice moment with the young boy, who was clearly emotional
The 40-year-old, taking part in his sixth qualifying campaign, has now scored in each of the 23 seasons he has played for the national side.
His second was a vicious shot from 25 yards, his 10th goal in his last 10 competitive outings for Portugal.
Joao Felix also scored two, with Joao Cancelo getting the other.
Hungary’s concession of an added-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw against the Republic of Ireland means they are already two points off the pace.
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic scored the only goal in the 12th minute as Serbia beat Latvia 1-0 in Riga to move into second place in Group K, five points behind England – 2-0 victors of Andorra – having played one match fewer.
In Group H, Bosnia-Herzegovina remain top with a three-point advantage after a 6-0 demolition of minnows San Marino, ahead of Austria, with a match in hand, after they defeated Cyprus 1-0.
Portugal FootballCristiano Ronaldo
