A young Portugal fan gave his national side heroes and Cristiano Ronaldo an emotional send off as they jetted out to Russia for the World Cup on Saturday.

Ronaldo was leading the European champions through Humberto Delgado Airport in the Portuguese capital Lisbon when he was approached by a youngster wearing his shirt.

The Real Madrid star stopped to embrace the kid, posed for pictures and then left him 'crying with happiness' after giving him an autograph before heading for the departure lounge.

A young Portugal fan ran up to greet Cristiano Ronaldo as he arrived at Lisbon airport

Ronaldo shares an embrace with the young fan as he got ready to fly out to Russia

Ronaldo led the youngster inside and left him 'crying with happiness' according to the mother

The Real Madrid star gave the child an autograph before heading into the departure lounge

Ronaldo gives a thumbs up to the camera as he prepares to jet off to Russia

The 33-year-old smiles and waves to the camera as he gets set to arrive at the World Cup

The Real Madrid star led the European champions as they departed for the World Cup

The Portugal plane lands in Moscow as the players arrive for the World Cup later this month

Ronaldo then arrived with his Portugal team-mates at the Zhukovsky International Airport

The Portugal players disembark from the plane after arriving at the airport in Moscow

His mother told reporters: 'He loves the national team so he is now very happy. He managed to get an autograph from Cristiano Ronaldo and now he is crying with happiness.'

The Real Madrid stars and his team-mates arrived in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, looking as well-groomed as they did before they left their home country.

They wore Portugal flags on their lapels to show their spirit ahead of the highly-anticipated tournament in Russia.

Portugal had jetted out to Russia on Saturday morning as they aim to add the 2018 World Cup to their triumph at Euro 2016 in France.

The squad were suited and booted as they were greeted by supporters ahead of flying out, with stalwarts Pepe and Ricardo Quaresma also among those pictured.

Fernando Santos' side will arrive in Russia in good form after their three warm-up matches for the tournament.

Always meet your heroes 😍 pic.twitter.com/DtLclgk8pi — B/R Football (@brfootball) June 9, 2018

The Portugal players disembarking from the plane after arriving in Russia on Saturday

Ronaldo and his team-mates walk down the stairs after landing ahead of the World Cup

The Portugal team pose for a picture on board the flight as they get ready to jet to Russia

Besiktas centre back Pepe is part of Portugal's 23-man squad for the tournament in Russia

Fernando Santos leaves the team coach as he prepares to mastermind Portugal's campaign

Ricardo Quaresma heads for the departure gate after arriving at the airport in Lisbon

Veteran centre back Bruno Alves is one of the oldest members of the Portugal squad

After being held to a 2-2 draw by Tunisia last month, they played out a goalless stalemate with Belgium before thumping Algeria 3-0 on Thursday.

PORTUGAL GROUP B FIXTURES IN RUSSIA June 15: Spain - Sochi - 7pm June 20: Morocco - Moscow - 1pm June 25: Iran - Saransk - 7pm *All times are BST* Advertisement

Goncalo Guedes, on loan at Valencia from PSG, bagged a brace with a further strike from Bruno Fernandes ensuring they signed off in style in front of their own fans.

Portugal were drawn in Group B at the World Cup, alongside Iberian rivals Spain and outsiders Morocco and Iran.

Ronaldo and Co begin their campaign against the Spanish in Sochi on June 15.

They then face Morocco on June 20 and Iran five days later.

Portugal will be hoping to perform better than four years ago in Brazil, when they were dumped out at the group stage.

They were thrashed 4-0 by Germany in their opening game before being held by the USA and registering a consolation win over Ghana in the final group match.

Reserve goalkeeper Beto waves to the assembled fans as he prepares to jet off for Russia

Portugal forward Gelson Martins makes his way off the coach and into the airport