Paul

🇵🇹📲 João Correia Silva, a pharmacist, shares a heartfelt story about his son meeting Cristiano Ronaldo ten years ago. His son was so overwhelmed by the encounter that he later wondered whether it had really happened or was just a dream. "It must be ten years today. On Avenida da Liberdade, Caca was waiting for Cristiano Ronaldo with a notebook under his arm. As Cristiano left, surrounded by security guards, he spotted him, gave him a hug and asked: 'Do you play football?' Caca responded shyly: 'Yes, no, at FC Porto Dragon Force.' Cristiano signed his notebook and jersey, gave him a hug and left him with some advice: 'To become a player like me, you have to train, train, train. And don't forget to be a good student.' We then followed them both down Avenida da Liberdade. Caca was quiet until he eventually asked me: 'Father... was it really Cristiano Ronaldo? Was it real or was it a dream?' I have never forgotten that question. Because that's exactly what Cristiano did for all of us. When a game seemed lost, he appeared. When the ball seemed impossible to reach, he jumped higher. When they said it was over, he reinvented himself. He made us believe Portugal could beat the biggest teams. He took our country's name to places it had never been before. Even today, it's enough to say 'Portugal' for someone to respond: 'Cristiano Ronaldo.' We can discuss minutes, choices and decisions. This is football. What we should not be discussing is #Gratidão. In Brazil, Pelé, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho continue to be symbols. In Argentina, Maradona and Messi are part of a people's identity. Perhaps we should also reflect on how we treat our own legends. That day, Caca thought he had lived a dream. Maybe we should too. Only that it was real. Thank you for the goals, the victories and all the impossibilities you have made possible. But most of all, thank you for making us dream. Thank you for everything."