Recited 'Bismillah' before penalty? Cristiano Ronaldo's video goes viral

TORONTO: The World Cup second round match between Portugal and Croatia in Toronto was nothing short of a thriller. Portugal achieved a dramatic victory after a last-minute goal by Croatia was overturned by a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) check. Portugal ended up taking a win, shattering a Croatia team, who were arguably the better team on the pitch and played exciting football till the last whistle.

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to get Portugal back on level with Croatia. A video purporting to show Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo saying 'Bismillah' during a match is currently circulating on social media. The player was seen murmuring something before a penalty kick, which many adjudged to be a Bismillah prayer.

A few on X said it was the power of the prayers that helped the player successfully convert the crucial penalty that brought Portugal back to the game. A few other football followers said that Ronaldo has become accustomed to the prayers after his stint in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, a few others called the video a misinterpretation and said Ronaldo rather said 'Ves marcar', which means 'I am going to score' in Portuguese.

Did Ronaldo recite Bismillāh before taking a penalty for Portugal? pic.twitter.com/t4Nt6WinS4

— • (@Alhamdhulillaah) July 3, 2026