Mohamed Amin

In 2003, they said the pressure of being the most expensive teenager in English football history would break you. It didn't. In 2004, they said you were too skinny and wouldn't survive the physicality of the Premier League. You proved them wrong. In 2005, they said the grief of losing your father and the pressure of growing into a Manchester United superstar would break you. It didn't. In 2006, they said the English fans would provoke and frustrate you into leaving the club. They failed. In 2007, they said you would never become an elite player because all you did was dribble. You proved them wrong. In 2008, they said you would never reach the level of being the best in the world. You silenced them. In 2009, Porto had never lost at home to an English side in European competition until you took your Puskás-winning goal to their ground. In 2010, I watched you take on the challenge of ending the dominance of one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Injuries interrupted your campaign, but you continued to deliver. In 2011, I watched you shatter the La Liga single-season goalscoring record with 40 goals. In 2012, I watched you lead Portugal to the Euro semi-finals, carrying enormous responsibility for your country. You won La Liga with a record 100 points, yet your Champions League journey ended in the semi-finals after a penalty shootout defeat to Bayern Munich. In 2013, I watched you score in Clásicos time and again and win the Ballon d'Or without a major team trophy, showing just how extraordinary your individual brilliance was that year. In 2014, I watched you fulfil your promise of bringing the Champions League back to Real Madrid, winning La Décima despite battling persistent injury problems throughout the season. In 2015, I witnessed another season of individual brilliance fall short of major team trophies. In 2016, I witnessed one of the greatest individual peaks in football history. While Barcelona's MSN attack dominated headlines, you went on to win another Champions League and your country's first-ever European Championship. In 2017, I watched you become a serial killer. You no longer cared about showboating or dribbling. You just wanted to destroy opponents. You won another Champions League and another Ballon d'Or. In 2018, I watched you score one of the greatest free kicks in World Cup history against Spain, completing a magnificent hat-trick, having already won another Champions League to make it three in a row. Portugal's journey ended in the Round of 16, but your brilliance was unforgettable. In 2019, I watched you dominate another top-five league with Juventus and help Portugal win their second major international trophy, scoring a hat-trick in the Nations League semi-final before lifting the trophy. In 2020, I watched you continue your extraordinary goalscoring form in Italy, winning another Serie A title with Juventus. In 2021, I watched you return to Manchester United amid strong links with Manchester City, one of the most dominant teams in the world at the time. Your return to Old Trafford was one of football's biggest stories. In 2022, I watched you go through one of the most difficult periods of your life, both personally and professionally. Still, it didn't break you. In 2023, at 38, I watched you outscore the new generation of beasts: Haaland, Mbappé and Kane, finishing the calendar year with 54 goals. In 2024, I watched you make history by becoming the first player to appear at six European Championships, extending your record for tournament appearances. In 2025, at 40, I witnessed you win a third major international trophy for Portugal, defeating Spain in the Nations League final. In 2026, I watched you lift the Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr and finally score your first-ever knockout-stage World Cup goal at 41. I've watched you score and assist with every part of your body and in every possible style: backheels, back, chest, shoulders, head. Everything. From the teenager they said wouldn't survive the pressure to the 41-year-old still breaking records. From being doubted, mocked and written off to conquering league after league, country after country. I've watched you overcome things that would have ended careers. I've watched you reinvent yourself, silence critics and keep proving people wrong when they thought there was nothing left to prove. I've watched an entire generation grow up witnessing your greatness. And if I had to watch football all over again, I'd still choose to watch you. You are, without a doubt, the greatest ever in the history of football. Cristiano Ronaldo, I'll forever adore you.🐐❤️ And if I had to watch football all over again, I'd still choose to watch you.