Ronaldo stirs the pot: "I hope they boo me" | OneFootball

Before Ireland clash, Ronaldo drops a statement that sets everything alight

Ronaldo stirs the pot: "I hope they boo me"

At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't lost his taste for adversity. Ahead of facing Ireland in Dublin, the Al Nassr striker surprised everyone by declaring… that he actually hopes to be booed by the home crowd.

A stadium that reignites his fiercest memories

Ronaldo returns to the Aviva Stadium, where his last visit in 2021 turned into a hostile showdown. Every touch from the Portuguese icon triggered a chorus of jeers. Ireland held firm (0-0), frustrating CR7, who was already haunted by a missed penalty in the reverse fixture—denied by the outstanding Caoimhin Kelleher. It's a moment Irish fans haven't forgotten.

Even today, that chapter fuels the tension. Ireland had claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg thanks to Ruben Neves, adding another layer of emotion to this reunion.

For Ronaldo, though, those boos are pure fuel. They fire him up, spark his competitive edge, and relieve him of any pressure. In Dublin, he craves that red-hot atmosphere, convinced it pushes him to give his all. As he nears the twilight of his international career, CR7 proves he remains, more than ever, a player who thrives on challenging the crowd.