Cristiano Ronaldo Expresses Gratitude Ahead of Portugal's World Cup Clash with Croatia

As Portugal prepares for a pivotal World Cup match against Croatia, Cristiano Ronaldo expresses heartfelt thanks to fans for their support. This match not only holds sporting significance but also emotional weight, coinciding with the anniversary of late striker Diogo Jota's passing. Ronaldo, who recently became Portugal's all-time leading World Cup scorer, aims to lead his team to victory after a shaky start in the tournament. With a history of remarkable performances, Ronaldo's presence is crucial as Portugal seeks to secure their place in the knockout stages. Discover more about this emotional encounter and Ronaldo's journey in the World Cup.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 2, 2026, 09:45 IST

Ronaldo Thanks Fans Before Key Match

Toronto, Canada - On July 2, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his appreciation to fans for their support, stating it made the team feel at home as they prepare for their FIFA World Cup round of 32 match against Croatia, set for Friday.

The talented Portugal squad is gearing up to secure a place in the pre-quarterfinals, facing a formidable Croatian team led by the experienced Luka Modric, who is 40 years old. Following two draws in the group stage, Ronaldo and his teammates are determined to assert their dominance against a strong opponent in Toronto, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 AM IST.

This match holds special emotional weight for both players and supporters, coinciding with the first anniversary of the tragic passing of striker Diogo Jota, who lost his life in a road accident in Spain last year.

Ahead of the game, Ronaldo took to Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message accompanied by a holding hands emoji and the Portugal flag, captioned "Facam-nos sentir em casa," which translates to "make us feel at home."

In a recent match against Colombia, the 41-year-old captain made his 25th appearance in the FIFA World Cup, tying with German legend Lothar Matthaus for the second-most appearances in the tournament's history. Only Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, has played in more World Cup matches, with 29.

During the game against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo showcased his skills by scoring two goals, while teammates Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also contributed to the scoreline. An own goal by Uzbekistan's goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov added to the team's woes, leading to a decisive victory for Portugal, marking their first win of the tournament.

With his two goals, Ronaldo became Portugal's all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history, bringing his total to 10 goals and surpassing Eusebio's previous record of nine. Eusebio, a legendary figure in Portuguese football and the 1965 Ballon d'Or winner, famously led the team to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup. Pauleta follows Ronaldo and Eusebio on the scoring list with four World Cup goals.

Additionally, Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, breaking a 10-match goalless streak in major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and the Euro Championship.

Portugal's recent victory was a strong comeback after their opening group-stage match ended in a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, which had raised questions about the team's performance. This win not only revitalized their World Cup campaign but also significantly improved their goal difference ahead of the final group match.