Ronaldo's legendary career by numbers

Five Ballon d'Or awards, eight league titles, five Champions Leagues, a European Championship and two Nations League wins cement Ronaldo's status as a football all-time great.

Burnley's airport lockdown moment

During a pre-season trip to Lisbon as Burnley assistant, Bellamy watched as police cordoned off the entire airport terminal when Ronaldo arrived.

“So we got to the airport and the police were everywhere. It was on lockdown.”

Police everywhere, nothing could move

Rows of police with patrol cars blocked off the terminal. Bellamy's chartered coach was stuck for 10 to 15 minutes as security prepared for Ronaldo's passage.

“Everything was locked off. People in the terminal, you name it.”

The coolest walk Bellamy ever saw

Ronaldo emerged from a car, grabbed a rucksack from the boot, and walked through the locked-down airport with police escorting him. Even the officers were taking pictures.

“It was the coolest walk I have ever watched for a minute.”

Beyond a superstar, Bellamy says

Bellamy described Ronaldo as transcending typical celebrity status. The experience showed him the magnitude of Ronaldo's global influence in a way no trophy cabinet could.

“He is beyond a superstar.”

Last played against Ronaldo in 2008

Bellamy faced Ronaldo in October 2008 when Manchester United beat West Ham 2-0 at Old Trafford, with Ronaldo scoring twice.

Now managing Wales against Portugal

Bellamy is now Wales manager preparing to face Ronaldo and Portugal in a Nations League A match on Thursday night at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.

Ronaldo's 2026 World Cup retirement plan

Ronaldo confirmed during the summer that the 2026 World Cup will be his last tournament, though he hasn't specified when his career will end.

Still elite at 41 through professionalism

Bellamy credits Ronaldo's continued excellence to his professionalism, intelligence in managing energy, and his enduring goal-scoring instinct after 24 years as a senior Portugal international.

“I'm not surprised he is still playing with the professionalism he has shown.”

Wales faces tough odds without key players

Bellamy will be missing Harry Wilson, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Nathan Broadhead, Dylan Lawlor, Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies for the Portugal match, but urges his squad to embrace the challenge.