Looking at Cristiano Ronaldo, Oscar Wilde came to mind: “In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”
With Portugal leaving the World Cup and Ronaldo’s dream of winning the trophy unfulfilled, the philosophical side of life takes precedence.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, five-time Champions League winner and Euro 2016 champion, CR7, as he is widely known, has scored a world-record 976 goals for his clubs and country.
Ronaldo is the heartthrob of millions across the globe, making Portugal a much-followed team.
Sadly, the World Cup did not get the touch of his lips.
It’s customary to hoist the winning trophy and plant a kiss on it.
All captains of World Cup winning sides had done it and most iconic players the world has known have had the privilege of the gesture of affection with the feeling of fulfilment.
But Ronaldo, Portugal’s wonder boy, finished the 2026 World Cup with that desire unfulfilled.
At 41, the next tournament after four years seems more like a semi-retirement period where Ronaldo may emerge as a football commentator or a coach.
Portugal came to this World Cup without creating any buzz.
The analysts never termed the team a major force in the ongoing tournament and Ronaldo, despite scoring goals, appeared a little lost.
One has to admit, at 41, a World Cup match, whoever the opponent, is a tough call.
Yet, on Monday night, as the time of the game approached, TSC within the Dhaka University campus became alive with youngsters donning Portugal t-shirts.
These are all young football enthusiasts who grew up seeing CR7 dominate European football.
With a younger Ronaldo, Portugal played the semis at the World Cup 2006, losing to France courtesy Zidane’s penalty goal.
While he has ample club accolades under the belt, the biggest prize of them all eluded him.
Honestly speaking, at this World Cup, Portugal never looked like a side that came to the tournament to achieve anything substantial.
Persistent rumours about feuds within the team only dented their image while the much needed ‘gusto’ was missing.
Before the game against Spain, pundits had predicted a loss for Portugal and, that’s how it ended.
However, the grief of CR7 and Portugal exiting the World Cup touched his fans in Bangladesh.
Fardeen Kabir, a younger mate of mine, wrote a passionate farewell on his Facebook, saying: “All good things come to an end, I am glad I had the privilege to see you fight an uphill battle throughout your career. You’ll always be an aspiration. I will always love you.”
The morning after the Spain loss, Mazhar Mithun, a senior broadcast journalist, renowned sports vlogger and a dyed in the wool Ronaldo fan, called me up, his voice choking.
“A large part of my life was spent idolising Ronaldo, following his playing style; seeing Portugal bow out of the World Cup is shattering” remarked a heart-broken Mithun.
There are countless Ronaldo fans out there who are miserable right now.
But maybe this is not the total end of Ronaldo the footballer.
He is believed to have said after the match that the decision whether he will carry on playing for Portugal in the coming days will be taken following a logical, reason-based discussion with his family.
Oh well, maybe as a player the World Cup did not get Ronaldo’s kiss but what if he becomes a coach and, one day, under him Portugal goes to the top and lifts the cup?
Well, he can surely kiss it as a manager!
But if that doesn’t happen, then CR7 can be rest assured, there’s also glory of the vanquished gladiator who tried his best in face of so many odds.
Ronaldo, you’re a trooper and your crown is made of the unwavering affection and love of millions of fans across the world.
Walk into the twilight, not with tears but with the understanding that you inspired millions.
