Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Portugal supporters to create a welcoming atmosphere for the team’s upcoming FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Croatia. The forward shared a message on social media, asking fans to back the team in significant numbers for the crucial knockout stage fixture.
The message, accompanied by a picture featuring a holding hands emoji and the Portugal flag, read, “Facam-nos sentir em casa,” which translates to “make us feel at home.” This call for support comes as Portugal prepares for a challenging encounter against a Croatian side led by midfielder Luka Modric, with a place in the pre-quarterfinals at stake.
The fixture also carries emotional significance for Portugal, as it falls on the first death anniversary of late striker Diogo Jota, who died in a road accident in Spain last year.
Ronaldo and Modric: A shared history on the pitch
The upcoming game in Toronto marks another chapter in the intertwined careers of Ronaldo and Modric. Both players have been constants at the highest level of international football for over two decades. Modric made his debut for Croatia on 1 March 2006, the same evening Ronaldo scored twice in a 3-0 victory for Portugal against Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo, who is 41, and Modric, 40, will make their 232nd and 202nd appearances respectively for their countries when Portugal face Croatia in the last 32 of the World Cup. They are part of an elite group of four male players who have accumulated at least 200 international caps.
Their paths first crossed in the 2008-09 season during the Carling Cup final, where Manchester United, with Ronaldo, defeated Tottenham, featuring Modric, on penalties. They later met in the quarter-finals of the 2010-11 Champions League after Ronaldo’s move to Spain.
The two players were teammates for six seasons at Real Madrid, during which they won the Champions League four times and reached the semi-finals in the other two campaigns. A notable shared moment was in the 2017 Champions League final when Modric set up Ronaldo for a goal against Juventus, putting Madrid 3-1 ahead. This was one of 222 matches where they shared the pitch, making Modric the central midfielder with whom Ronaldo has played most often.
Portugal’s World Cup journey and milestones
Ronaldo recently achieved a significant milestone during Portugal’s group-stage campaign, making his 25th FIFA World Cup appearance and equalling German legend Lothar Matthaus for the second-most appearances in tournament history. Only Lionel Messi, with 29 appearances, has played more World Cup matches.
The 41-year-old also played a key role in Portugal’s victory over Uzbekistan, scoring twice. This brace made him Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 10 goals, surpassing the record previously held by Portuguese legend Eusebio.
Portugal entered the tournament under pressure after being held to a draw by DR Congo. However, their win against Uzbekistan helped to revive their campaign and boost confidence ahead of the crucial knockout clash against Croatia. Toronto will host the fifth international meeting of Ronaldo and Modric, with Portugal having won the previous four encounters.
Ronaldo’s message to fans underscores the importance of home support as Portugal aims to continue their progress in the World Cup.
Source: theguardian.com
