Cristiano Ronaldo: Captain's armband thrown away in Serbia match sells at auction for more than £50,000

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration moment at a controversial decision in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday is turning into something good.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal furious with the Captain's armband in his hand after being denied a stoppage-time goal during the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Serbia and Portugal in Belgrade, Serbia. Photo: Nikola Krstic/Soccrates/Getty Images

The Portugal forward threw his captain's armband to the ground when he was denied a stoppage-time goal against Serbia controversially.

The armband has been sold at auction to raise money for a 6-month old baby's medical treatment.

Djordje Vukicevic, Duty fighter, picked up the armband from the pitch after Ronaldo had left at the end of the 2-2 draw in Belgrade.

Vukicevic said: "Ronaldo was agitated [and] he threw the armband. It fell right next to me."

The Duty fighter decided to put it up for auction to raise money for treatment for Gavrilo Djurdjevic from Serbia, who is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal furious as he throws his Captain's armband to the ground after being denied a stoppage-time goal during the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Serbia and Portugal in Belgrade, Serbia. Photo: Nikola Krstic/Soccrates/Getty Images

He said: "The entire crew agreed this [armband] will go for little Gavrilo."

According to BBCSport:

Vukicevic said he was ready to sell any memorabilia he could collect from players to help Gavrilo's parents collect the £2.1m needed for the treatment.

The winning bid for the armband was 64,000 euros (about £54,000). Gavrilo's mother Nevena said proceeds from the sale would be would be a significant contribution to their treatment fund.

She said: "We could not believe that some people who do not even know us... would take the armband, auction it and help our child."