The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo will celebrate his 40th birthday this Wednesday and will receive the love and support of his compatriots, considering him one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Luís Grilo, a resident of Bairro Alto in Lisbon, highlighted Ronaldo's iconic performance in a match against Sweden in 2013, where he scored a hat trick that qualified Portugal for the World Cup in Brazil. Grilo praised Cristiano's unique style and his winning mentality, stating that the player was born to stand out in football and always strives to reach the highest.
For his part, Wilmar Barbossa, a loyal follower of Cristiano since his debut in 2002 with Sporting de Portugal, praises the determination, discipline, and example that the player represents for the youth. Barbossa sees Ronaldo as a myth of Portuguese football and predicts that he will remain connected to the sport even after his retirement.
Verónica Leitão, a supporter of the Portuguese national team, considers Cristiano her greatest sports idol and an inspiration in perseverance and sacrifice. She highlights the positive evolution of Portuguese football due to the competitive influence of the player on the national team.
In downtown Lisbon, soccer souvenir shops emphasize the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in their products, being responsible for the majority of the sales related to the captain of Portugal. Among replicas of Ballon d'Or awards and jerseys with the number '7', memorable moments such as Portugal's victory in the Euro 2016, where Cristiano lifted the trophy, are remembered.
It is expected that the legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo will endure in the memory of the Portuguese even after his retirement, leaving the future of the national team in good hands, according to fans and merchants in Lisbon.
