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Published on 03/07/2026 – 20:46 GMT+2
The decisive penalty in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Croatia was preceded by a close-up of Cristiano Ronaldo’s intense focus, capturing a moment broadcast live to global audiences. The image later sparked widespread speculation about the words he whispered moments before scoring.
Social media users in Arabic-speaking regions claimed he said “Bismillah,” the Arabic phrase meaning “In the Name of God,” often used before taking action for blessings. Others in Portugal suggested he repeated “vais marcar” (“you will score”), a phrase his thick accent could distort to resemble “bais marcar,” fueling cross-cultural interpretations.
Online reactions were polarized: Gulf journalists cautiously attributed the phrase to Ronaldo’s recent ties with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he joined in 2022, noting past instances of him saying “Bismillah” for pre-strike ritual. This speculation, though newly amplified, drew praise from Saudi and Arab fans celebrating a symbolic cultural connection with their sporting icon.
Social media users in Pakistan echoed this sentiment, with one tweeting, “Ronaldo says ‘Bismillah’ before every penalty kick. It’s his way of scoring—he even said so in an interview!” Conversely, critics argued the team’s captain had likely muttered “vais marcar,” with pronunciation quirks sparking linguistic debates.
Despite the furor, Ronaldo avoided addressing the controversy, opting instead to greet jubilant Portuguese fans outside the team’s hotel post-match, celebrating their qualification for the tournament’s knockout stages. The incident underscored the unexpected global resonance of a solitary whispered word in a sport uniting—and dividing—fans worldwide.
Euronews bureaus in Doha, Dubai, and its Arabic service concluded unanimously: Ronaldo’s whispered invocation, whether for spiritual intent or merely self-encouragement, transformed a routine moment into a defining memory of the match.
