Then, no one knows since when, I no longer count my age by years. I count youth by the World Cups with Cristiano Ronaldo. Germany 2006. South Africa 2010. Brazil 2014. Russia 2018. Qatar 2022. And finally, Dallas of America 2026.
20 years and 6 World Cups, almost the entire adult life of a football fan. Every 4 years, the World Cup comes and Ronaldo still steps onto the field. Sometimes he is a 21-year-old guy full of pride, sometimes he is the captain carrying responsibility on his shoulders, sometimes he is a warrior fighting against time with extraordinary will.
Until the final whistle against Spain at the 2026 World Cup sounded. For the first time, I understood that there would be no more World Cups with Ronaldo. I don't know what to say about that sadness. In fact, the World Cup is always a place that makes Ronaldo sad more than happy. Many people say the Champions League is the stage where Ronaldo dominates, EURO is where he lifts the trophy in 2016. But the World Cup is forever just an unfinished dream.
Some people will say it's a failure. Maybe it's true.
But that is the failure of a person who has reached the very limit of himself. Football is inherently unfair. Ronaldo spent more than 20 years pursuing that Gold Cup. He extended his career to the age of 41. In the end, time is still the only opponent he cannot defeat.
The thing that choked me the most was not Ronaldo being eliminated. But the moment I realized that from the next World Cup, I would no longer be able to wait for him. Some people love Ronaldo for his goals. Some people love him for his titles. As for me, the most memorable thing is never the numbers, but the way that man lives with aspiration.
Right after the final whistle, amidst the chaotic emotions of a World Cup night, a moment appeared, making me believe that football always knows how to write the most beautiful endings. Lamine Yamal quietly walked towards Cristiano Ronaldo. Not to ask to change shirts, not to take a souvenir photo, just a hug, a word of encouragement.
The person who has just entered the most beautiful period of his career finds the person who has just closed his last chapter. A boy is bowing his head before the person who inspired the whole world. That moment is strangely beautiful. It's like football is completing a transition ritual on its own.
A legend quietly leaves the field. A young genius prepares to step into the lights. Then 4 years from now, the World Cup will still take place, the stands will still be packed. Today's children will cheer for Lamine Yamal, for the new stars of world football. Just like we cheered for Cristiano Ronaldo 20 years ago. Football always knows how to let dreams continue. For me personally... Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo for not just being a player. You are the most beautiful part of my youth.
