Cristiano Ronaldo has promised to be a “good boy” as he prepares to face a wave of boos at the Aviva Stadium.
The Portuguese skipper will lead his teammates in their World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Thursday, a month after celebrating Rúben Neves’ last-gasp winner in the reverse fixture against defender Jake O’Brien.
Ronaldo told the media on Wednesday that he expected to be booed, but was solely focused on the task of helping his team reach what will be their last World Cup final.
He said: “I really like the fans here. The support they give to the national team is lovely. For me it’s a pleasure to come and play here again.
“Of course it’ll be hard. I hope they don’t boo me too much tomorrow. I swear I’ll try to be a good boy.
“But of course I do my job. I try to win the match and I try to score to help my team. I’m sure the match will be difficult.”
Ronaldo had a night to forget during the encounter in Lisbon, having drawn the match after Caoimhín Kelleher saved his penalty, awarded by Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak.
Irish fans accused the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star of having undue influence over the match official, but Ronaldo was having none of it.
He said: “It’s normal because they know if they lose tomorrow they will be eliminated, so they try to do things around the game, try to do things.
“But we have to prepare for a tough game. I think it will be very similar to the one they played in Lisbon – and they have their chance.
“They are a good team, so we are prepared. I think Portugal will have a good match and try to win the match.”
Portugal will secure their qualification for the World Cup if they win, while Ireland will have work to do to finish ahead of rivals Hungary and Armenia in the race for second place in Group F and a place in the UEFA qualifiers in March.
Ronaldo said earlier this week that the World Cup campaign would be his last as he considered retirement, but the 40-year-old intends to add to his already sizable trophy haul.
However, the man with a total of 143 international goals to his name said that quest was far from all about him.
He said: “A national team does not depend on one good player, but it helps to have good players who can make the difference, especially with goals.
“It’s always good for me to score goals. I want to participate in the next World Cup, but we will get there step by step.”
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez will be without suspended midfielder Bruno Fernandes and injured defender Nuno Mendes in Dublin, where he expects a difficult evening after the victory in Lisbon.
Martinez said: “I think we are going to see an Irish team full of confidence, they are playing at home and it is the last camp to try to qualify for the World Cup, so I think it will be a totally different game.”
Information from PA was used in this story.
