Ronaldo, you will always be my inspiration: Siraj writes emotional notes after Portugal loss
India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj paid an emotional tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s FIFA World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end with a round of 16 defeat to Spain. A long-time admirer of the Portuguese superstar, Siraj said Ronaldo’s legacy can never be defined by a single result and thanked him for inspiring millions around the world.
The heartfelt news came after Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Spain, a defeat that marked the end of Ronaldo’s World Cup journey after announcing before the tournament that 2026 would be his last.
“No matter what happened today, you will always be my inspiration Cristiano,” Siraj wrote on his Instagram story. “One game can never define your greatness. Thank you for inspiring millions of people around the world.” Mohd. Siraj writes a tribute to Ronaldo (Photo by Screenn from Instagram)
Siraj has never hidden his admiration for Ronaldo. The Indian pacer often celebrates wickets with the Portuguese icon’s famous ‘Siuuu’ celebration, often recreating the signature jump and landing that has become synonymous with one of football’s greatest players. His latest tribute echoed the admiration of countless fans who flooded social media with messages of support after Portugal’s exit.
Siraj’s admiration for the Portuguese captain often went beyond celebrations on the cricket field. After India’s dramatic six-run win over England at The Oval to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2 in 2025, the fast bowler revealed that he started the day by setting a motivational picture of the Portuguese superstar as his phone wallpaper. The image carried a simple caption — “Believe” — a message that Siraj said gave him the confidence he needed before taking the winning five-wicket haul.
RONALDO SAYS FAREWELL TO THE WORLD CUP
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match as Portugal crash out of the World Cup (Reuters Photo)
Ronaldo’s last appearance at the World Cup ended in disappointment Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 victory thanks to Mikel Merino’s 91st-minute winner at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Defeat ensured the FIFA World Cup remains the only major honor missing from Ronaldo’s glittering career.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez also confirmed after the match that he would be stepping down, closing another chapter in Portuguese football. Although Ronaldo declared before the tournament that this would be his last World Cup, the 41-year-old has yet to announce whether he will continue to represent Portugal at international level.
After eliminating Portugal, Ronaldo reignited the debate by insisting that winning Euro 2016 is as important to him as lifting the FIFA World Cup.. After the defeat, the Portugal captain claimed that ending his country’s long wait for a major international trophy represented the highlight of his career.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves the World Cup with a unique legacy. He remains the only male player to score at six different World Cups and has amassed a remarkable collection of club and international honours, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles, league crowns in England, Spain and Italy, the UEFA Nations League and the European Championship with Portugal.
For Siraj, however, these achievements tell only part of the story. His message highlighted the impact Ronaldo has had outside of football, inspiring athletes across sports with his longevity, work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence. Even as Portugal’s World Cup dream came to an end, Siraj’s tribute echoed sentiments shared by millions of fans who believe Ronaldo’s place among the greatest sportsmen of all time is now secure.
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Published on:
July 7, 2026 1:59 PM IST