Dolcy D’Cruz
Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, bid farewell to the global tournament after Spain ended Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Journey in the Last 16. Cristiano Ronaldo left the pitch for the last time at a World Cup, after Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in stoppage time. The 41-year-old saw his dreams of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup come to an end. From becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups to finishing as Portugal’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 11 goals. His penalty kick against Croatia marked his first goal in the tournament’s knockout stage and made him the oldest goal-scorer in the World Cup knockout stage at 41 years and 147 days. Ronaldo had earlier announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last. “I have given all I could to football. It’s my passion to play for so many years. I didn’t do it out of need; I’m doing well in life. It’s about passion. I play for the national team, and I love to play football,” Ronaldo said while announcing that Portugal vs Spain FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Match is his last. Despite not having the dream ending of winning the World Cup, he has helped transform Portugal into an amazing team, while also winning three trophies with his country. Ronaldo gave fans moments they’ll never forget. Some journeys end, but greatness is remembered forever.
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Ronaldo has been an exceptional player throughout his career. He has always given his heart out to the sport and made total justice to it. The very fact that at this age he still gave his 100 percent on the field in his last match of this huge tournament just shows that football to him is not just a profession but a passion. Ronaldo may not have given us, his fans, a World Cup but what he has given is something no other player could. He gave us the best quality of football, something we might not get to see in the future. As a Ronaldo fan, I’m glad I belong to this generation of football fandom because I got to be a fan of the best in the world — Glency D’Costa, homemaker
Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest reason Portugal reached the heights they enjoy today. Before his arrival, Portugal had never won a major international trophy. With Ronaldo leading the team, they went on to win three major titles. But his dream to win the FIFA World Cup was unfulfilled. But he gave his best. For millions of teenagers and young footballers around the world, Ronaldo was an inspiration. If someone asked, “Who is Cristiano Ronaldo?” the best answer was always, “Just watch him play.” His style, tactical intelligence, winning mentality, relentless work ethic, and unmatched dedication inspired an entire generation to dream bigger and work harder. Ronaldo was the first to arrive at training and the last to leave. That simple sentence perfectly captures the mindset that made him one of the greatest athletes of all time — Clifton D’Cruz, entrepreneur
Cristiano Ronaldo’s footballing career has been nothing short of legendary. He’s dedication to the sport is evident in his impressive record making him one of the greatest players of all time. However, the bitter truth of football today is that the sports can be cruel to many athletes with regards to the rewards they received for their dedication and in these hard times, Ronaldo has set an example to many how to survive as an individual in football. Greatest player of all time and yet walks without a world cup trophy much similar to Steven Gerrard, the greatest players in Liverpool history, yet walks without a premier league silverware. Yet, they walk with the biggest trophy on their shelf the trophy of ‘Greatness’. As a Liverpool supporter, I wish Cristiano all the best, you’ll never walk alone — Govit Morajkar, president, Liverpool Supporters Club Goa
As my idol ends his journey on the World Cup stage, all I can say is thank you. The years of hard work, dedication, and consistency he has shown have played a huge role in shaping me as a person. He made me believe that hard work and persistence will always give you a chance to succeed. He proved that with a clear goal, unwavering ambition, and relentless determination, anything is possible. His discipline and never-give-up mentality have inspired millions of young people around the world to push themselves beyond their limits, just as he always did. Even at 41, playing at the World Cup and scoring three goals on football’s biggest stage is nothing short of extraordinary. Hats off to a true legend, the ultimate definition of the Greatest of All Time- Carisio Azavedo aka Bongisio, Konkani rapper.
Cristiano has been my footballing hero since I first watched him at the 2006 FIFA World Cup as an 11-year-old. You just knew he was special the moment you watched him play. His unmatched work ethic, self-belief, and relentless drive to improve have shaped the way I approach life and fitness. A late strike in the dying moments of the game was enough; that is the beauty and cruelty of football. Nevertheless, while every great journey must end, legends live on. Cristiano’s legacy continues to inspire generations. A living masterpiece. Timeless in every sense. Beyond valuation, beyond imitation — Sairaj Gawas, football enthusiast
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t just wear the Portuguese crest, he carried the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders. In doing so, he inspired a golden generation to dream fearlessly and showed millions that greatness isn’t a gift it’s earned through discipline, sacrifice, resilience and an unrelenting pursuit of more. For many of us, he wasn’t just a footballer. He was our childhood. The reason we celebrated in our living rooms, stayed up through the night and believed that impossible was only temporary. The World Cup journey may have reached its final page, but legends are never confined to tournaments. They live on in every dream they inspire, every life they change, and every generation that follows. Childhood memories may fade. Heroes never do. Obrigado, Cristiano- Alister Fernandes, sports marketer
I have been supporting Portugal ever since Cristiano Ronaldo made his first appearance for the national team. Watching his journey over the years has been nothing short of inspiring. If this truly marks his final FIFA World Cup 2026 match, then football isn’t just witnessing the end of a career, its saying goodbye to an era. Cristiano carried the hopes of millions, inspired generations, and showed the world what dedication and discipline looks like. For me, Cristiano Ronaldo will always be a champion not because of how his World Cup journey ends, but because of the legacy he leaves behind. Obrigado Cristiano. CR7 — Benzie Fernandes, mixed media artist
Growing up as a football fan, my love for the game was shaped by Cristiano Ronaldo. From his unforgettable Manchester United days to his legendary Real Madrid era, he gave us moments that will live forever. But what inspired me most wasn’t just the goals or the trophies, it was his mentality. His discipline, sacrifice, relentless work ethic, and belief in himself taught me that greatness is earned, not given. For me, Cristiano Ronaldo will always be the greatest. Thank you for inspiring millions to dream bigger, work harder, and never stop believing. Your legacy will live on forever — Anjelica Matias, academic researcher
Everyone is quick to blame Cristiano Ronaldo whenever Portugal fall short. But football has never been a one-man game. I started following Cristiano Ronaldo from the day he made his Manchester United debut in 2003 after arriving as a young, exciting teenager from Sporting Lisbon. I was rather witnessing the beginning of history. What saddens me is that many of today’s teenagers and social media trolls only judge the 41-year-old Ronaldo. They never witnessed the Ronaldo who terrorised defenders, broke records year after year, won everything there was to win, and inspired an entire generation to believe that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. His journey was about discipline, sacrifice, dedication and belief. People mocked him when he chose Saudi Arabia. But look at where the Saudi league is today. The whole football world watches it now, and some of the biggest stars have followed. CR7 helped change the global perception of football in that part of the world. Here in Goa, many have always supported Portugal because of our historical roots and connection. But the Portuguese national team gained millions of supporters across the globe because of one man. People who had no connection to Portugal proudly wore the jersey, stayed awake through the night, celebrated every goal, and fell in love with Portuguese football because of Cristiano Ronaldo. Obrigado, Cristiano Ronaldo. We will MISSIUUUUU- Omi Tunes, musician and football enthusiast
