Cristiano Ronaldo took a moment after Portugal‘s 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage finale to offer words of encouragement to Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who travelled to Miami Stadium on Saturday, June 27 to watch the Group K decider between Portugal and Colombia.
According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 41-year-old Portugal captain approached the 25-year-old Brazilian — a long-time admirer of Ronaldo — following the final whistle and told him: “Be patient, everything will go well.”
The match ended 0-0, a result that confirmed Colombia as Group K winners with seven points, while Portugal advanced to the Round of 32 as runners-up on five points. Rodrygo, who idolises Ronaldo, was present at the stadium despite not featuring in Brazil’s World Cup campaign due to a long-term injury that ruled him out of the tournament entirely.
The timing of Ronaldo’s message is significant. Beyond his current rehabilitation, Rodrygo had already been experiencing a difficult period at club level prior to the injury, with his minutes at Real Madrid diminishing progressively over the past season. That decline in playing time has fuelled ongoing media speculation about a potential departure from the Spanish capital.
Rodrygo joined Real Madrid from Santos in 2019 and has since accumulated a notable trophy haul, including two La Liga titles and UEFA Champions League medals from the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons. His career trajectory at the club has drawn frequent comparisons to Ronaldo, who won four UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid before leaving in 2018.
The brief exchange in Miami underscores the personal connection between the two players and highlights the broader human dimension of elite football, where careers can stall even at the highest level. For Rodrygo, returning to full fitness and reclaiming his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s — or his successor’s — starting XI will be the immediate priority ahead of the 2026/27 club season.
Portugal, meanwhile, advance to the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ronaldo and his squad will look to build momentum following an unconvincing group stage showing that yielded just one win from three matches.
