Nani Reflects on Controversial Disallowed Goal That Angered Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Portuguese winger Nani discusses the infamous incident during a 2010 friendly against Spain, where his touch nullified Cristiano Ronaldo's spectacular goal, leading to widespread criticism and Ronaldo's visible frustration.
In a 2010 friendly match between Portugal and Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo executed a remarkable play, dribbling past defenders and chipping the goalkeeper. However, just before the ball crossed the line, Nani intervened with a header from an offside position, causing the goal to be disallowed. This action led to Ronaldo's visible frustration, as he threw his captain's armband to the ground in anger.
Years later, Nani addressed the incident, clarifying that Ronaldo's anger was directed at the referee's decision, not at him. He stated, "I think he was angry with the referee because the ball had already gone in, and they made a wrong decision. I was not offside." Nani expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging that his unnecessary touch nullified a beautiful goal.
This moment remains a notable example of how split-second decisions on the field can have lasting impacts, highlighting the importance of awareness and communication among teammates during critical plays.
