Dominik Szoboszlai was looking forward to facing Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in his career, having spoken pre-match about how the Portugal captain is his idol
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - SEPTEMBER 9: Cristiano Ronaldo of the Portugal National Team can't believe the huge chance he missed during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Hungary and Portugal at Puskas Arena on September 9, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Alexandra Fechete/MB Media/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai wanted Cristiano Ronaldo's shirt(Image: Alexandra Fechete/MB Media/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo has promised to give Dominik Szoboszlai his shirt after the Liverpool star was beaten to it by a team-mate. Szoboszlai, 24, came up against the legendary forward for the first time in his career on Tuesday, as his Hungary side welcomed Portugal to Budapest for a World Cup qualifier.
Ronaldo's team came out on top, with the 40-year-old scoring a penalty in their dramatic 3-2 win. Post-match, Szoboszlai wanted to swap shirts with Ronaldo, having explained prior to the game that he was his idol.
Asked how much the prospect of facing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was playing on his mind ahead of Tuesday's fixture, the midfielder replied: "A lot. I have played against (great) players but I've never played against him.
"From my childhood he has been my idol so finally the time has come. I hope it will be a positive experience."
Although the result wasn't positive for Hungary, who've collected just one point from their opening two World Cup qualifiers, Szoboszlai did manage to meet Ronaldo after full-time. Liverpool's No.8 asked Ronaldo for his shirt but he'd already given it away.
Fortunately for Szoboszlai, Ronaldo made him a promise. In a chat which took place outside of Portugal's dressing room, Ronaldo could be heard saying: "I will give you one of mine from my home."
Szoboszlai was on the same pitch as Ronaldo back in 2009 when he was a mascot for Hungary's clash with Portugal. Now he's come full circle with his hero, who he's set to face again next month for the reverse fixture in Lisbon.
Szoboszlai will be pleased that he was recently compared to Ronaldo, having scored a stunning free-kick to give Liverpool a crucial 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League. "He has no right to score that against [David] Raya," Manchester United legend Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.
"Look at that facial expression, he can't believe it, the Arsenal goalkeeper. This is special, it's got everything. It's brilliant. World-class. Cristiano Ronaldo-like."
"You can't look at the goalkeeper. It's absolutely brilliant. The swerve is wicked. He's been positive from minute one, not only his defending, he's gone into midfield to get the ball, he's popped up everywhere, he's been brilliant he really has."
Szoboszlai will hope to pick up where he left off for Liverpool, as the Reds travel to face Burnley at 2pm on Sunday. Then comes the start of their Champions League campaign at home to Atletico Madrid before hosting Everton in this season's first Merseyside derby.