Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo’s unique stance during the his country’s national anthem has piqued the curiosity of many fans and observers. everyone in the world except Ronaldo faces forward, a gesture that has sparked various speculations and interpretations.

As the Portuguese team line up, side by side to sing ‘A Portuguesa’, Ronaldo instead often chooses to stand sideways in the lineup. He does so as a way of showing how much love and respect he has for his nation.

Indeed, the Al Nassr striker positions himself differently to make sure that he is facing the Portugal flag wherever it is flying in the stadium. Beyond anything else, this is simply an act of patriotism.

This has been a tradition of the captain throughout his career as a sign of respect for his home nation. Some may laugh at this idiosyncratic behaviour but it doesn’t seem to have hurt the veteran forward.

Cristiano Ronaldo is likely playing in his last-ever European Championships this summer at Euro 2024. His first involvement in the tournament came in 2004 and he’s now played in a total of six editions, making him the first footballer to do so.

Despite having won the tournament in 2016, he will be aiming for more glory this summer. For some, Portugal are the favourites and with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star leading the way, hopes will be high.

For the tournament in Germany, Roberto Martinez’s men kicked things off with a game against the Czech Republic and viewers would have noted that Ronaldo was standing at a slightly different angle from his teammates during the national anthem.

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