Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly “desperate” to swap shirts with Ireland goalscoring hero Callum Robinson at the Ireland v Portugal clash on Thursday night, Paddy Power News believes.
The all-time leading international goalscorer in the men’s game was reportedly blown away by the West Brom forward’s five-goal haul during the last international break.
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“He’s as giddy as a schoolgirl queuing for Ed Sheeran,” our source within the Portuguese camp revealed ahead of the World Cup qualifier.
“We hope just hope he can contain his excitement in the tunnel before the game – though someone will have smelling salts should he faint when they actually meet.”
Indeed, questions have been raised as to how much the impending Ireland game has been weighing on the mind of the star.
“Ole’s convinced Cris’s mind was on his trip to Dublin during the Manchester derby he’s excited about going head-to-head with the other CR7.
“Imagine how many times he’d have dug United out of the sh*te this month if he hadn’t been thinking about meeting Robinson so much!
“At least he’s sleeping soundly since we found a pair of Callum Robinson pyjamas to fit.”
Ronaldo, 36, has been locked in an almost two-decade-long battle with Lionel Messi for the title of the greatest player on the planet, but now appears to have accepted there’s new top dog.
“He knows he can’t compete [with Callum]” our source said. “What really amazes him is the humility – this guy just plugging away in The Championship at West Brom when he could be tearing it up in the Champions League.
“It can only be a matter of time before PSG or Man City come calling…”
DUBLIN, IRELAND – OCTOBER 12: Callum Robinson of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at Aviva Stadium on October 12, 2021 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Last month, Robinson, 26, appeared to have been possessed by Ronaldo’s eye for goal – or at least Tony Cascarino’s – as he netted twice against Azerbaijan before scoring a hat-trick against Qatar.
That pair of results saw the Baggies forward and his Irish teammates hailed in an open-top bus parade around Dublin by hundreds of thousands of fans.
And should Robinson notch a winner against the Portuguese on Thursday night a potential bid for the Irish presidency cannot be ruled out.
While we’re on the topic of the CR7’s, our traders have formulated some Power Prices, especially for this colossal clash. Sure, Ronaldo might have 109 more international goals than Robinson but how many has he scored for Portugal in November 2021? A big fat zero.
Both warriors come into this one with an identical number in this field and it’s a nice, juicy price boosted from 10/1 that the good CR7 triumphs over the evil one in this field on Thursday.
That’s just one specially formulated Power Price. Check out all the others right….here.
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