Cristiano Ronaldo Sparks Debate Over Possible Muslim Prayer Before World Cup Penalty

A brief video clip of Cristiano Ronaldo moments before scoring a penalty that equalized Portugal's match against Croatia in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 has ignited widespread speculation on social media. The clip, captured seconds before the kick, quickly went viral with many viewers claiming Ronaldo whispered "Bismillah" ("In the name of Allah"), suggesting he performed a personal Islamic prayer ritual possibly adopted during his years playing in Saudi Arabia.

However, no official confirmation or proof has emerged to verify what Ronaldo actually said, and the player himself has not commented on the footage. The debate intensified online, with many Arabic-speaking fans enthusiastically supporting the idea that Ronaldo repeated "Bismillah" twice before the shot. Conversely, Portuguese fans and media argued that he said "vais marcar," a Portuguese phrase meaning "you will score" or "I'm going to score," as a form of self-encouragement.

This speculation is fueled by past remarks from Ronaldo's former Al-Nassr teammate, goalkeeper Walid Abdullah, who in 2024 stated on Saudi TV that Ronaldo was interested in converting to Islam. Abdullah described Ronaldo as encouraging teammates to pray regularly and noted an incident where Ronaldo prostrated on the field after scoring, with teammates shouting "Allahu Akbar." Despite these claims, Ronaldo's reported upcoming wedding to Georgina Rodriguez is planned as a Catholic ceremony in Madeira, adding complexity to the discussion.

The video and ensuing debate remain a hot topic online, with thousands analyzing Ronaldo's lip movements and offering differing interpretations. Without clearer evidence or an official statement from Ronaldo, the question of what he actually said before the penalty remains unresolved.