FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo receives heartfelt message from mother ahead of Portugal's Spain clash
Texas, July 6
Ahead of his side's FIFA World Cup Rounf of 16 match against Spain, Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo received a heartwarming message from his mother Maria.
Portugal head into the clash after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32, with Goncalo Ramos scoring a stoppage-time winner to keep their title hopes alive.
"Good luck to our national team, we are together, " Maria wrote in an Instagram post.
Roberto Martinez's side are chasing back-to-back FIFA World Cup quarter-final appearances for the first time in the nation's history, although they have not won successive World Cup knockout matches since 2006.
Standing in their way is a Spain side that has impressed throughout the tournament. Luis de la Fuente's men stormed into the Round of 16 with a commanding 3-0 win over Austria and became the first team since Germany in the 2014 World Cup final to prevent their opponents from registering a single shot on target in a knockout match.
The Iberian rivals last met at the World Cup in 2018, when Ronaldo scored a memorable hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Portugal will now hope their captain can produce another decisive performance and extend his farewell World Cup journey by at least one more match.
— ANI
Reader Comments
That 2018 hat-trick against Spain was legendary! CR7 is still capable of magic. But Spain's defense looks rock solid after that Austria game... could be a cagey match. Let's see if Portugal's midfield can support Ronaldo properly. Exciting times for football!
This might be Ronaldo's last World Cup, and seeing his mother's support is so touching. I hope Portugal plays as a team and doesn't just depend on him. Ramos showed great form against Croatia. Spain will be tough though—they've been clinical. As an Indian football lover, I just want a thrilling match!
Mom's support always matters. 🥹 But honestly, Portugal's knockout record is worrying—they haven't won consecutive WC knockout matches since 2006. Ronaldo needs to step up, not just as a goalscorer but as a leader. Spain's control game could frustrate them. Hope it's not a boring defensive match!
India may not be in the World Cup, but we love the drama! 🇮🇳 Ronaldo vs Spain again—brings back memories of 2018. This time, the stakes are higher for Portugal. Hope they don't underestimate Spain's midfield dominance. Great to see football capturing hearts in India too!
As someone who follows football closely from the US, this is a great matchup. Maria's message adds a human touch. Ronaldo's farewell tour needs a statement game here. Spain's discipline is impressive, but Portugal's resilience can't be ignored. Should be a tight 1-0 or 2-1 either way.
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