Portugals Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Sweden during the game against Portugal during their UEFA Nations League Group stage soccer match at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday Sept. 8, 2020. (Janerik Henriksson / TT via AP)
The Associated Press
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo compared empty soccer stadiums to a circus without clowns.
The Portugal great scored his 100th and 101st goals for his country in a 2-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday in the Nations League.
'œIt's like going to a circus without clowns, going to a garden without flowers,'ť Ronaldo said. 'œWe don't like that as players, but I'm already used to it. I do my pre-match meditation already knowing that the stadium will be empty.'ť
Ronaldo said he even missed opposing fans.
'œIt's sad,'ť the Juventus forward said. 'œI like when I'm jeered in away matches, it motivates me. But health has to come first and we need to respect that. But it's sad.'ť
Ronaldo said he hoped that 'œwithin a few months'ť fans could be back because they are the 'œjoy'ť of the game.
With his goals against Sweden, Ronaldo became only the second male player to reach the century mark in international soccer. He trails only former Iran striker Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals for his national team.
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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo sticks out his tongue during the Portugal against Sweden UEFA Nations League Group stage soccer match at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday Sept. 8, 2020. (Janerik Henriksson/TT via AP)
The Associated Press
Portugal's Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Sweden, his 100th goal, during the UEFA Nations League Group stage soccer match at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday Sept. 8, 2020. (Janerik Henriksson / TT via AP)
The Associated Press
Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo shoots a free-kick to score against Sweden during their UEFA Nations League Group stage soccer match at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday Sept. 8, 2020. (Claudio Bresciani / TT via AP)
The Associated Press
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his second goal against Sweden during their UEFA Nations League Group stage soccer match at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday Sept. 8, 2020. (Janerik Henriksson/TT via AP)
The Associated Press
Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo is congratulated on his 100th goal by Pepe, left, and Joao Cancelo, 2nd left, and national team captain Fernando Santo, right, against Sweden during their UEFA Nations League Group stage soccer match at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday Sept. 8, 2020. (Claudio Bresciani / TT via AP)
The Associated Press