Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed by pitch invader ahead of Portugal’s clash with Germany – as stewards are forced to step in after security breach

Cristiano Ronaldo was grabbed by a young fan on the pitch ahead of Portugal’s Nations League match against Germany, with stewards forced to intervene.

The fan managed to evade security and run onto the field at the Allianz Arena during the warm-up.

Stewards attempted to prevent him from reaching the Portugal captain, but the fan was seen with his phone outstretched and pleading for a photo with the star.

The fan had grabbed Ronaldo as he made his request, before being forcefully pulled away by the stewards. 

The incident was reminiscent of farcical scenes at last summer’s European Championships in Germany.

Six pitch invasions interrupted Portugal’s match with Turkey at the tournament, with several fans racing onto the pitch in a bid to have photos with Ronaldo.

The fan was seen attempting to get a photo with the Portugal captain ahead of the match

Stewards were seen dragging the fan away after he had run on the field to reach Ronaldo

Speaking after the match last summer, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez had expressed his concerns for player safety. 

‘It is a concern because today the intentions of the fans were good,’ Martinez said. 

‘But there will be a difficult moment if the intentions are wrong and players are exposed.

‘I don’t think that should happen. Maybe there is a message to the fans that this is not the right way. 

‘It is not good that the players are so exposed on the pitch.’

The incidents led to an investigation by UEFA, with the football legend having also been grabbed by a fan who interrupted Portugal’s open training session ahead of the tournament.

Portugal’s Nations League semi-final with Germany on Wednesday was initially delayed by 10 minutes due to a storm in Munich.

Stewards were seen restraining the fan on the pitch at the Allianz Arena in Munich

Ronaldo started for Portugal as they attempted to reach the Nations League final

Ronaldo captained Portugal as he earned his 219th cap of his nation, as they sought to step up a final against Spain or France.

The 40-year-old came into the match amid ongoing speculation around his future, with his lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr expiring at the end of the month.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had suggested Ronaldo could move to a club featuring at the Club World Cup, but reports have indicated he could extend his contract with Al-Nassr.