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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks

Cristiano Ronaldo's generous gesture to Portugal teammates on World Cup night out

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly took his Portugal team-mates out for dinner after they were given a night off by manager Fernando Santos.

Portugal got their World Cup campaign off to the best possible start by claiming a win over Ghana in their first group game. Ronaldo started that match and scored from the penalty spot as they picked up a crucial three points in Group H.

There has been mounting frustration among the Portugal camp about the attention being paid to Ronaldo's exit from Manchester United. Santos grew visibly annoyed in a press conference last week as Bruno Fernandes was bombarded with questions about that situation.

Having put those frustrations behind them to secure that crucial win over Ghana, the Portugal squad have now given another show of unity. Santos gave his troops a night off from their training schedule over the past two days.

They have been pictured together at a squad dinner, with only three players choosing to spend time with their loved ones instead. Jose Sa, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva were the only three not to attend.

But the rest of the squad, including United duo Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were in attendance at the table. According to El Espanol, it was Ronaldo who treated his team-mates to the dinner.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Which club should Cristiano Ronaldo join next? Comment below.

Ronaldo scored to help Portugal beat Ghana in their opening match of the World Cup (Getty Images)

It is said they went to the recently-opened Tatel de Doha restaurant on Al Maha Island, which Ronaldo has links with. It is claimed that the 37-year-old paid for the dinner personally. The restaurant is owned by Mabel Hospitality, which Ronaldo is a partner in, alongside tennis legend Rafael Nadal.

The Portugal squad were out until around 11.30pm before being picked up by officials for the national team on their bus. This World Cup is Ronaldo's final chance to win the world's biggest major international tournament. He will also be looking to impress any interested suitors following his fiery exit from United.

Portugal can seal a place in the Last 16 if they defeat Uruguay on Monday and currently sit top of Group H. His goal against Ghana means Ronaldo has now scored in five successive World Cups, the first man to do so, an achievement he admitted his pride at.

"Very important win on our World Cup debut, but nothing is gained! It was just the first step! We remain focused in pursuit of our goals. Go Portugal!" Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. "Scoring in 5 World Championships is achieving an achievement that I would never dare dream of, but it is also proof that there are no impossibilities.

"The pride I feel in representing Portugal is only comparable to the joy I feel in each goal I score for my country, translated into victories dedicated to our people. Let's goooood! This is just the beginning!"

Portugal will hold their final training session before the clash with Uruguay on Sunday evening. Santos currently has 24 players at his disposal, with Nuno Mendes and Otávio absent as they completed specific training programmes.

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