Cristiano Ronaldo Says Playing Without Fans Like 'Garden With No Flowers'

Cristiano Ronaldo admits the atmosphere of playing in front of a massive crowd is something that he misses right now.

With sports almost entirely forced to play behind closed doors due to the pandemic, superstars like Ronaldo are denied of the stadium euphoria they usually get on every milestone achieved.

The Portuguese icon became just the second male player to notch 100 international goals as he scored both goals to lead the country to a 2-0 Nations League victory over Sweden on Tuesday. But while he raves about the achievement, he admits that the celebration would have different if he had fed off the cheers from the fans.

"There is no need to regret when I do something I like to be whistled because it gives me chills. But health comes first, if the WHO says that these aren't safe conditions, that's it. The most important thing is the human being," Ronaldo told RTP, via Goal.

"Playing without fans is like going to the circus and not seeing clowns, it’s like going to the garden and not seeing flowers."

Ronaldo hit the milestone goal after he scored on a free kick just before halftime following a foul just outside Sweden’s penalty box. He hit the back of the net anew at the 72nd-minute that virtually put the game out of reach.

"I am very happy. Firstly, because the team won, which was the goal we had. Then the 100 mark and then the 101, with two goals, makes me very happy,” Ronaldo said when asked of his milestone goal.

"Now the future is only for God. I feel good, I feel good for playing with these young players."

The historic feat placed Ronaldo right on pace to catch Iran's Ali Daei, who sits at the top of the list with 109 goals in a 14-year international career.

"I managed to beat this milestone of 100 goals and now (I'll go) for the record. It's step-by-step. I am not obsessed because I believe the records come in a natural way," Ronaldo said.

Tuesday’s game was Ronaldo’s first for Portugal this year, having sat out of the team’s 4-1 victory over Croatia on Saturday. The country now sits at the top of group three in league A with a goal difference edge over France, which the team will face on October 11 in Paris.