Arabic version: بيلامي يستذكر إغلاق مطار بسبب رونالدو قبل اختبار البرتغال

According to BBC News, Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has recalled seeing Lisbon airport effectively locked down when Cristiano Ronaldo arrived during a pre-season trip with Burnley. Bellamy was then an assistant to Vincent Kompany and said the experience showed him that Ronaldo is “beyond a superstar”.

Bellamy said Burnley had travelled by chartered coach and initially believed there had been a security breach because police, cars and security officials were everywhere. The team waited on the coach for 10 to 15 minutes before a car arrived. Bellamy said Ronaldo got out, collected a rucksack from the boot and walked into the terminal, with police surrounding the area.

“Even the police were taking pictures. No-one could bother him,” Bellamy said. He described it as “the coolest walk I have ever watched for a minute” and compared the scene to “presidents stuff”. Bellamy last shared a pitch with Ronaldo in October 2008, when Ronaldo scored twice for Manchester United in a 2-0 Premier League win over West Ham United.

Bellamy is now preparing to manage Wales against Ronaldo’s Portugal in their Nations League A opener in Lisbon on Thursday. Portugal’s 233-cap forward, who won his first Portugal cap in 2003, has five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions League titles, a European Championship and two Nations League triumphs among his honours.

Wales will be without Harry Wilson, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Nathan Broadhead, Dylan Lawlor, Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies. Bellamy said his side must be excited but not overwhelmed as they seek to remain in League A, urging his players to give everything and enjoy the occasion.