Sporting fans pay tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo

Sporting fans paid tribute to their academy graduate during Saturday's match against Moreirense, days after Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portugal national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo received a heartfelt tribute from Sporting's supporters during the club's match against Moreirense on Saturday, following his announcement on Thursday that he was retiring from international football with Portugal.

In the seventh minute—the number associated with Ronaldo throughout his career—the crowd at Estádio de Alvalade in Lisbon rose to their feet in applause, with chants of 'SIU' echoing through the stadium. Supporter groups unfurled three banners reading 'From Alvalade to the world', 'GOAT, you are one of ours', and 'Thank you, C. Ronaldo'.

The stadium screens displayed the number 28 shirt Ronaldo wore during the 2002–03 season, his only campaign in Sporting's first team before joining Manchester United.

Ronaldo, now 41, scored his first two professional goals against Moreirense on 7 October 2002. Sporting's training academy bears his name, and his image appears at gate 7 of the stadium. His retirement from Portugal came amid disagreements with national team manager Jorge Jesus.