TODAY’S PAPER | July 07, 2026 | EPAPER

Pakistani celebrities pay tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after emotional World Cup farewell

Danish Taimoor credits Ronaldo for his love of football, Yumna says 10% football knowledge, 100% heart for Ronaldo


Life And Style Desk July 07, 2026 2 min read
Photo: YumnaZaidi and DanishTaimur/Instagram

As Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo walked away from his final World Cup appearance, it marked the end of a generation-defining era. While the trophy may have slipped through his fingers, the legendary forward’s impact transcended boundaries, sparking a wave of emotional tributes from fans worldwide, including some of Pakistan’s biggest entertainment stars.

Actor Danish Taimoor touched the hearts of many with a deeply emotional tribute, confessing that Ronaldo was his primary reason for tuning into the sport. "I grew up with your matches, celebrated your goals like they were my own, and felt every defeat as if it belonged to me," Taimoor shared.

He shared that he witnessed every comeback, every trophy, every tear, every smile, while watching a young boy with an impossible dream become one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. “Football existed long before you, and it will exist long after you. But for my generation, football has your fingerprints all over it.”

Expanding further on his true thoughts, Taimoor added, “People will remember the goals, the records, the trophies, and the celebrations. I’ll remember something even bigger. The fire in your eyes. The refusal to give up. The obsession to become better every single day. The belief that no dream is ever too big if you’re willing to sacrifice everything for it.” For Taimoor, it remains completely impossible to imagine football without him.

Posting on his Instagram story, actor Ameer Gilani shared his raw feelings over the departure of the football giant. Gilani openly shared his heartbreak, stating: “As a fan of football, it is heartbreaking that the name Ronaldo won't be in the list of players who have won a World Cup.” Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the sport, he shared that luck is the best and the most cruel thing.

Photo: AmeerGillani/Instagram

Photo: AmeerGillani/Instagram

Calling the footballer a hero both on and off the field, Gilani made sure to note that, for him, Ronaldo will always be the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) on and off the field.

Meanwhile, Yumna Zaidi experienced the historic occasion firsthand from inside the stadium during the much-anticipated Portugal versus Spain FIFA clash in Dallas. The actress shared several videos and photographs from the venue, giving her followers an authentic glimpse of the electric atmosphere surrounding the match. “10% football knowledge, 100% heart for Ronaldo. That’s all that matters,” Yumna penned in a message for the footballer while cheering him on for the match.

Later, sharing a video of the star walking away from the pitch after the final moments, Yumna penned a simple, poignant note saying, “eyes say it all,” perfectly mirroring the football star’s heavy emotions in her post.

Actor Syed Jibran also honoured Ronaldo’s massive impact on the game, stating that football would never be the same without him. Paying a high tribute to the Portuguese captain, he called him one of the sport’s greatest competitors and placed him among the strongest contenders in the never-ending debate over football’s greatest player of all time.

Photo: JibranNasir/Instagram

Photo: JibranNasir/Instagram

Although Ronaldo’s World Cup journey ended without the one title that had always eluded him, the overwhelming response from Pakistani celebrities highlighted the immense respect and admiration he continues to receive across borders. For millions of fans, the trophies tell only part of a legendary story.

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