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Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo once refused to swap shirts with Robin Gosens and left Germany ace ‘feeling small’

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CRISTIANO RONALDO once refused to swap shirts with Robin Gosens – leaving the Germany star ‘feeling small’.

But Gosens, now 28, had the last laugh when he scored in the Germans’ 4-2 rout of Portugal – also taking home the Man of the Match award – at Euro 2020.

Robin Gosens revealed Cristiano Ronaldo rejected his request to swap shirts earlier in his career, with the German getting his revenge with a 4-2 Euro 2020 win over GermanyCredit: EPA
Ronaldo snubbed Gosens’ request during a game between Atalanta and JuventusCredit: Getty

And this time he did not even ask the Man Utd star for his top.

He said back in 2020: “I didn’t ask Cristiano Ronaldo for his shirt because I want to take advantage of this victory and tonight.”

Ronaldo got Portugal off to a flyer by polishing off a rapid counter-attack.

But two own goals, a Kai Havertz strike and a cherry on top from Gosens meant Diogo Jota’s goal – from a Ronaldo assist – was mere consolation.

And for Gosens, he would have been doubly happy to have got the three points in the Group of Death

Earlier in his career, Gosens revealed he attempted to fulfil a lifelong dream of swapping shirts with his idol, Ronaldo, after he joined Serie A side Juventus in 2018 – only to be sent packing.

Writing in his biography Dreams Are Worthwhile, Gosens recalled: “After the game against Juventus, I tried to fulfil my dream of having Ronaldo’s jersey.

“After the final whistle I went to him, having not even gone public to celebrate.

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“But Ronaldo did not accept.

“I asked, ‘Cristiano, can I have your shirt?’

“He didn’t even look at me, he just said, ‘No!'”

“I was completely blushed and ashamed. I went away and felt small.

“You know that moment when something embarrassing happens and you look around to see if anyone noticed it?

“That’s what I felt and tried to hide it.”

But Gosens had nothing to hide after his amazing display against Portugal and said: “It’s certainly an unforgettable night for me.

“We beat a really strong team and got my first goal in this tournament, as well as an assist. I’m happy and proud.

“We knew we had to win today, if we lost it would be very difficult to qualify.

“We tried to give everything both attacking and defending, and I’m happy we won.”

Incredibly, Gosens has NEVER lost in the six matches he’s played against Ronaldo.

Atalanta have won one and drawn three of their four Serie A games against Juventus, also winning their 2019 Coppa Italia quarter-final, before Germany beat Portugal at the Euros.

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Ronaldo celebrates after he scores incredible 14.2-second counter-attack goal

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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