Mother’s heartfelt message for Ronaldo

By Sanjay Menon — 28 June 2026 — 3 min read

Mother’s heartfelt message for Ronaldo

Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, mother of Cristiano Ronaldo, has shared an emotional message of support for her son as Portugal prepares for an important FIFA World Cup game against Colombia. Her words arrived at a significant time in Portugal‘s World Cup journey, following earlier criticism directed at Ronaldo.

In a video shared by FIFA, Maria Dolores expressed her pride in her son’s ongoing achievements. She thanked fans for their continuous support through both successes and challenges. Her message resonated with many football fans on social media, highlighting the strong bond between Ronaldo and his mother, who has been a consistent supporter throughout his career.

Addressing her son and Portugal supporters directly, Maria Dolores conveyed her pride, stating, “I am proud that my son continues to make history. I want to thank all the fans that have been by your side. You have given so much to the world. A kiss to you, my son. Your mother is always here for you. I want to thank everyone for the respect you have shown my son. I send kisses to Portugal and all the Portuguese fans! I hope football continues to bring people together. Go, Portugal! Kisses.”

Ronaldo’s response to criticism

The message from Ronaldo‘s mother came after he faced criticism following Portugal‘s opening group stage match against DR Congo. This led to renewed questions about his age and his role in the starting lineup for the national team.

Ronaldo responded to these criticisms with a decisive performance in Portugal‘s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. During this match, he scored two goals, reminding observers of his continued impact on the game. These goals also made him the first player to score in six men’s World Cup finals, further cementing his place in the record books.

After the match against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo reflected on the difficult period following the initial draw. He acknowledged that the criticism had been hard to ignore, stating, “God helps those who work hard. It was a difficult, dark week; it felt like I’d already retired from football. But I held on as I always do because I believe more in hard work than in football. It was difficult, I have to admit, but we’re back. It’s fine because when you think about it, it’s already 23 years I’ve been a professional and whenever things don’t go well it’s: ‘Cristiano, he’s finished, he’s old.’ But well, it was a good response from me and my teammates, which is what we wanted.”

Renewed confidence for upcoming match

Following his two-goal performance, Ronaldo celebrated by shouting “I’m back, I’m back” towards the cameras, signaling his direct response to those who had questioned his position leading Portugal‘s attack. This display of renewed confidence comes as Portugal prepares to face Colombia in a group stage game in Miami.

The veteran striker, at 41, continues to make history, appearing in his sixth FIFA World Cup. This achievement matches a record for tournament appearances shared by Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa. With the unwavering support of his family, including his mother’s emotional message, Ronaldo enters the upcoming match with renewed confidence.

The prospect of Ronaldo playing for Portugal in the 2030 World Cup, which will be joint-hosted by Spain and Morocco with some games in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, has not been entirely ruled out.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com