Ronaldo, you'll always be my inspiration: Siraj pens emotional note after Portugal loss

India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj paid an emotional tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal's FIFA World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end with a Round of 16 defeat to Spain. Siraj, a long-time admirer of the Portuguese superstar, said Ronaldo's legacy could never be defined by a single result and thanked him for inspiring millions around the world.

The heartfelt message came after Portugal's 1-0 loss to Spain, a defeat that marked the end of Ronaldo's World Cup journey after he had announced before the tournament that the 2026 edition would be his last.

"No matter what happened today, you will always be my inspiration, Cristiano," Siraj wrote on his Instagram story. "A single game can never define your greatness. Thank you for inspiring millions around the world."

Siraj has never hidden his admiration for



Ronaldo. The India pacer frequently celebrates wickets with the Portuguese icon's famous "Siuuu" celebration, often recreating the trademark jump and landing that has become synonymous with one of football's greatest players. His latest tribute reflected the admiration of countless fans who flooded social media with messages of support after Portugal's exit.

Siraj's admiration for the Portuguese captain has often extended beyond celebrations on the cricket field. Following India's dramatic six-run win over England at The Oval to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2 in 2025, the fast bowler revealed that he had started the day by making a motivational image of the Portuguese superstar his phone wallpaper. The image carried a simple caption — "Believe" — a message Siraj said gave him the confidence he needed before producing the match-winning five-wicket haul.