Don’t cry, Cristiano, smile because it happened

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Football is a game that can make big, hard-back men cry long tears. Even without the Peter Drury commentary, I couldn’t hold back a flood of tears seeing Ronaldo him play, potentially, his final few minutes of international football; and hey, he doesn’t even know me. Some would argue that winning a European Championship, as he did in 2016, is harder than winning a World Cup, which is not a bad shout.

He’s achieved enough to cement himself as one of the greatest of all time, at least in this sport. It gives me goosebumps to think that one day I’ll tell my grandchildren that I witnessed this phenomenal athlete perform. Deep down, there’s nobody on this planet who prefers CR7 (Cristiano Ronaldo) or Messi, we love them both equally. It’s players like him and the drama he brings on and off the field, why we call it the beautiful game.

However, there’s a lot that boys especially can take from ‘Ronnie’. His never-say-never attitude, unfiltered focus on what he wants to achieve, and shear will and desire to succeed. Not to mention his dream physique, cool hairstyles, community work and love for family. He is the ultimate example of ‘hard work pays off’, ‘not giving up’ and ‘practice makes perfect’.

On the field, you could see from afar that he practised his stepovers and knuckle balls endlessly. I wouldn’t bet on anybody else to take a penalty to save my life. I love his electric running style, his stance over a dead ball, and the infamous ‘Siiiiuuuuu’ celebration. He literally glides and freezes in the air when going for a header. I think he would’ve had more goals if it weren’t for his Adam’s apple, that made him offside every now and again.

Time has ticked too quickly, man; he is irreplaceable. I can’t imagine a football world without him. He came, he conquered, and he took us all along with him. He is a tide no one can surf, he’s achieved heights no one can scale, and he’s got nothing to prove any more. I won’t say goodbye, he will always be with us. Don’t cry because it’s over Cristiano, smile because it happened.

KENDELL KARAN

Chaguanas

Trinidad and Tobago