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It was a tense affair in the Puskas Arena as Hungary hosted Portugal in the UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, due to a brace from Bruno Fernandes and a late goal from Hungary's Roland Sallai. Dominik Szoboszlai, captaining his nation for the evening, put on a commanding performance in midfield, orchestrating play despite the narrow defeat. Ronaldo started on the bench but came on in the second half, nearly adding to the scoreline with a header that forced a save from Hungarian keeper Denes Dibusz.
Apart from an edge of the seat thriller game on Tuesday, September , 2025, the audience also witnessed a moment that is said as a blend of admiration, sportsmanship, and a touch of nostalgia, when Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai shared a post-match interaction with Cristiano Ronaldo. The 25-year-old Hungarian captain, who has claimed to idolize Ronaldo since his youth, extended a gesture of respect by offering his match-worn shirt to Ronaldo after the final whistle. Though Ronaldo couldn't reciprocate immediately, the Al-Nassr forward reportedly made a heartfelt promise to return the favor in their next encounter. The Liverpool No. 8 has spoken openly about Ronaldo's influence on his career. "I used to collect his posters and watch every goal," he revealed in a 2023 interview with Sky Sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Dominik Szoboszlai’s paths first crossed indirectly in 2009, when the latter served as a ball boy
As the players exchanged handshakes and embraces at full time, the spotlight turned to a personal subplot. Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in a £60 million deal last summer, has long cited Cristiano Ronaldo as his primary inspiration. It is said that growing up in Szekesfehervar, the young Szoboszlai would watch Manchester United and Real Madrid matches religiously, dreaming of emulating the Portuguese phenom's flair and work ethic. Their paths first crossed indirectly in 2009, when a 12-year-old Szoboszlai served as a ball boy during a friendly between Hungary and Portugal at the same stadium. Back then, Ronaldo, already a global sensation at 24, posed for photos with the wide-eyed kid alongside the rest of the Portuguese squad.
Fast-forward 16 years, and the roles had reversed dramatically. No longer the eager mascot, Szoboszlai now stood as Hungary's skipper, facing off against his hero as an established Premier League star. “It's a dream come true to play against him,” Szoboszlai had reportedly said in a pre-match interview with Hungarian outlet Nemzeti Sport. He further added, “Cristiano is the reason I fell in love with football. To captain my country against him here in Budapest is surreal.” The next Hungary Vs Portugal qualifier is scheduled for October 14, 2025, in Lisbon at the Estadio da Luz.
