CRISTIANO RONALDO was protected from a full-kit pitch invader against Croatia.
After the 41-year-old Portugal hero was hooked on around 80 minutes, a young fan in the national kit – and CR7’s shirt – dashed towards his bench.
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The Ronaldo impersonator tried to reach the Portugal bench Credit: Getty
Two Toronto security guards grab the intruder before he reaches the stars Credit: Getty
The youngster does not appear to be aggressive as he is led away Credit: Getty
A pair of security guards grabbed hold of the youngster before he could reach the oldest scorer in World Cup history.
Portugal sub Samu Costa seemed concerned that the burly pair of bouncers did not manhandle the rascal too much.
But the most heavy-handed action was only the ruler breaking briefly grabbed around the neck, before he was more humanely removed from the pitch.
The Portugal fan might have been over excited to meet his hero because it came so close to being his final match.
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The striker’s older sister Katia Aveiro claimed before the game that defeat would spell the end for her brother’s international career.
And – with his club career likely to end where he is currently coining it in, in Saudi Arabia – that might have been the lad’s last chance to try to approach the icon.
Aveiro had said: “From the information I have, from a reliable source, I believe that this is the last dance, so let’s enjoy it.
“I believe it’s not today that they’ll say goodbye, but it’s coming soon. I strongly believe this is the farewell.
The Portugal fan made a run for it after his side scored the eventual winner Credit: Getty
Stadium security and a couple of Portugal subs made sure the youth didn’t reach the subs’ bench Credit: Getty
“So enjoy it a lot because it will be difficult to find someone after 200 goals. I’m talking about the Portuguese national team.”
And that prediction might have played a part in infuriating CR7 super-fan Piers Morgan who attacked the BBC for their coverage of his performance before he was hooked.
The Arsenal lover wrote on X at 1:33am GMT: “The BBC commentators in this Portugal-Croatia game have spent most of the match trashing @Cristiano and saying he should come off.
“Then he has a brilliant goal narrowly disallowed, and scores a superb penalty. And they’re STILL saying he should do more. Pathetic.”
The man seemed to just be trying to celebrate his side’s late winner but now faces a punishment Credit: Getty
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