Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn significant attention on social media after a viral video appeared to show him saying “Bismillah” twice before taking a penalty during Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Croatia.
The moment quickly spread across social media platforms, where football fans began debating what the Portuguese star said before stepping up to take the crucial spot-kick. Many users claimed Ronaldo recited the Islamic phrase “Bismillah,” while others questioned whether the footage was clear enough to confirm it. As of now, Ronaldo has not publicly responded to the circulating clips, and there has been no official confirmation verifying the claim.
Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto to earn a place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Ronaldo successfully converted his penalty to help his side take the lead, while Gonçalo Ramos added another goal to strengthen Portugal’s advantage. Croatia fought back through Ivan Perišić, who scored his team’s only goal of the match, but the effort was not enough to prevent elimination.
The viral video has continued to generate mixed reactions online, with many fans praising Ronaldo regardless of the speculation, while others have urged caution against drawing conclusions without clear evidence. The discussion has become one of the most talked-about moments following Portugal’s victory.
Despite the widespread attention, there is currently no verified proof confirming exactly what Ronaldo said before taking the penalty. Neither FIFA nor the Portuguese Football Federation has issued a statement on the matter.
In other Round of 32 fixtures, Switzerland advanced to the next stage after defeating Algeria 2-0 with a disciplined performance. Spain also moved into the Round of 16 following an impressive 3-0 win over Austria. The victory marked Spain’s first FIFA World Cup knockout-stage triumph since they lifted the World Cup trophy in 2010, adding another memorable chapter to their tournament campaign. With several top teams progressing, the competition is now set for an exciting Round of 16.
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