Geovany Quenda, the rising star of Portuguese football, recently opened up about an awkward yet unforgettable encounter with his hero Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 17-year-old, who has been making waves at Sporting Lisbon, was left starstruck when he crossed paths with the legendary CR7 during an international training camp in September.
Quenda, who was called up to the Portugal national team by coach Roberto Martinez, had his first run-in with Ronaldo in an elevator.
The wonderkid, who had limited game time under his belt at the time, admitted he was too stunned to speak.
Speaking to Canal 11, Quenda said: “He was going up, and I was going down.
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"When I rang the elevator, he appeared. I was a bit embarrassed, but that’s normal! I didn’t say anything. He’s an example for all the kids who dream of being footballers.”
Despite the awkward moment, Quenda is still in awe of Ronaldo, calling him a role model for aspiring young players.
“He’s an example for everyone, for all the kids who dream of being footballers,” he added.
The young player’s call-up to the national team was another dream come true. He revealed how emotional it was when he first learned the news, adding: “I couldn’t believe it. I called my father. He was happy and started calling everyone.”
Quenda, who recently scored his first goal for Sporting, hopes to follow in the footsteps of the football icon, aiming to achieve great heights in his career, just like Ronaldo. At only 17, Quenda's future is certainly looking bright.
