While ‘Ronaldomaniacs’ are often mistaken for Portuguese fans, their main focus is not the national team’s success but Ronaldo himself; many even struggle to name any other players.

Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo

For example, during Portugal’s opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-1), NRG Stadium in Houston was almost entirely painted red. Yet, chants were directed almost exclusively at the national team captain.

As the game unfolded, Ronaldo’s first touch of the ball electrified NRG, and his two missed chances in the second half almost felt like they set off earthquake alarms in Texas.

Meanwhile, João Neves scored Portugal's first goal of the 2026 World Cup. While the stadium celebrated, the noise didn't come close to Ronaldo's level.

Now, a week later and at the same venue, Portugal faces Uzbekistan. Yet, everything suggests a repeat: swarms of number ‘7’ fans once again gather at the stadium gates, promising another powerful show of support for the 41-year-old forward.

At the second 'Ronaldomaniacs' convention of the 2026 World Cup, most attendees seem drawn by Ronaldo's fame rather than loyalty to Portugal.

It's still very difficult to find someone who speaks Portuguese or even knows much about the Portuguese team, with names like Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, or Bernardo Silva almost always eliciting the reaction: "Who?"

In this World Cup, the typical ‘Ronaldomaniac’ travelled from nearby countries such as the United States or Mexico, as well as from distant regions like Asia, where many are inspired by Cristiano’s near-mythical status, and from South America, all motivated by their admiration for him.

Therefore, among children, teenagers, mothers, fathers, and adults alike, some Ronaldos wear typical Texan cowboy hats, while others sport traditional Mexican wrestling masks.

But the ‘Ronaldomania’ doesn’t end there.

Making their first appearance at a World Cup, Uzbekistan had only about 1,000 fans at their opening game against Colombia (1-3) in Mexico City, but in Houston, there are nearly 7,000, as one of the few journalists from that former Soviet republic covering the competition told Lusa.

Outside of match days, Ronaldo’s number ‘7’ in the Portugal jersey is easy to spot, whether in airports, supermarkets, restaurants or on the street, be it in Miami or Texas.

Ronaldo's career

Since starting his career at just 17 years old, Ronaldo quickly became a phenomenon of popularity, first at Manchester United and then at Real Madrid, but ‘Ronaldomania’ reached stratospheric proportions in 2023, when the forward left Europe to join Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

This resulted in Ronaldo's worldwide 'explosion', something that almost turned into a 'religion', with 'yessss' as the main sound of the 'prayer' among the 'Ronaldomaniacs'.

At Euro 2024, the extensive Portuguese emigrant community in Germany still stood up to 'Ronaldomania', with both joining in support of Portugal, but at the 2026 World Cup, 'Ronaldomania' is clearly in force.