Bellamy recalls watching Ronaldo bring Lisbon airport to a standstill

Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has shared a story from his time as an assistant to Vincent Kompany at Burnley that left him with a new appreciation for Cristiano Ronaldo's global stature. The incident took place during a pre-season trip to Lisbon.

Bellamy recalled that the Burnley team coach arrived at Lisbon airport to find police and security personnel everywhere, giving the impression that something serious had occurred. The coach was forced to wait for around 10 to 15 minutes while the terminal area appeared to be completely locked down.

It later became clear that the heavy security presence was there for Ronaldo, who stepped out of a car, retrieved a rucksack from the boot and walked through the airport alone, surrounded by police, some of whom were even taking photos of him. Bellamy said it was the most striking moment he has ever witnessed, comparing the scene to something resembling a presidential visit.

Preparing to face Portugal

Bellamy last played alongside Ronaldo in October 2008, when the Portuguese forward scored twice for Manchester United in a win over West Ham United. He is now preparing to take charge of Wales as they open their Nations League A campaign against Portugal on Thursday at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The Wales boss said he understands why Ronaldo, now 41, continues to perform at an elite level, pointing to his professionalism, his ability to manage his energy during matches, and his enduring instinct for scoring goals. Ronaldo confirmed over the summer that the 2026 World Cup would be his last, though he has not revealed exactly when his career will end.

Wales face a difficult task in Lisbon, with Bellamy missing several players, including Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon, among others. The coach has urged his squad to embrace the occasion while staying focused on securing a result that would help Wales remain in the Nations League's top tier.