Ronaldo fever

The Saudi Super Cup semi-final between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in Hong Kong once again proved that the "Ronaldo fever" never cools down, regardless of age or geographical distance.

Festival with Ronaldo as the "main actor"

On August 19, the Hong Kong Stadium was not just a football match, but the center of a true football festival. Tens of thousands of spectators flocked from early morning, turning all the roads leading to the stadium into a sea of jerseys with Ronaldo's name on them.

Some came from Hong Kong, Macau, China; some traveled all the way from Saudi Arabia. All had the same simple but powerful reason: to see Ronaldo on the field.

The presence of the Portuguese superstar turned the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup – not the most prestigious tournament in the world – into an international event. The atmosphere outside the stadium was like that of a major football festival: drums were beating, flags were fluttering, and scarves were given away for free. Fans were cheering and singing, creating a colorful and energetic picture.

It is worth mentioning that many audiences are willing to spend huge sums of money just to witness their idols in person. Man Li, a 32-year-old manager from Chongqing, spent more than 10,000 yuan on tickets, hotels and transportation.

He frankly said: “Winning or losing is not important, what is important is that I got to see Ronaldo play football. If I missed it, I would probably regret it for the rest of my life.” That story partly explains the almost religious attraction that Ronaldo brings - a kind of love that goes beyond the results on the field.

The presence of the Portuguese superstar turned the Saudi Super Cup semi-final - not the most prestigious tournament in the world - into an event of international stature.

Many young faces also expressed their enduring admiration for CR7. Mai Kaiqi, 21 years old from Macau, spent nearly HK$3,000 just to enter the field and believed Ronaldo would score. For the generation that grew up with his super goals and glorious moments, meeting their idol was like fulfilling a youthful dream.

Ronaldo's popularity is also reflected in small details: the fake CR7 jerseys were sold in a hurry outside the stadium, or the bus carrying Al-Nassr just appeared, causing the crowd to overflow onto Caroline Hill Street in excitement. All of this proves that Ronaldo is still a global icon, creating events wherever he goes.

Inside the stadium, 30,653 spectators filled the stands. Despite the space being below capacity, the atmosphere was exceptionally enthusiastic. As soon as Ronaldo touched the ball, cheers erupted, and thousands of phones were raised. It was not just cheering, but also a ritual to preserve the moment of seeing a legend in the flesh.

Another notable point is how Saudi Arabia used the match as an opportunity to promote the country. The “Visit Saudi” booth distributed free gifts and travel guides printed in simplified Chinese – clearly aimed directly at the Chinese tourist market.

Yet, amid all that marketing, what one really feels is the original football spirit, where the ultras groups of Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad turn the stands into their own “stages”.

In the North Stand, Al-Ittihad fans were led by loudspeakers, drums and giant flags. In the South, Al-Nassr fans were swarming under the banner of the “Nassr Army”.

The contrast created a constant atmosphere in the stadium. An Al-Nassr fan shared his hope that his team would win so that the whole team could perform the famous “Viking Thunder Clap” - an act of community unity and pride.

Why does Ronaldo attract fans?

There is also the football factor: Al-Nassr were reduced to 10 men but still won a dramatic 2-1 victory over Al-Ittihad. But as many fans admit, the score is not the most important thing. This match is remembered above all for the special atmosphere, where Ronaldo was the center of all eyes and all cheers.

Ronaldo is not only a goal scorer, he is also an example of the desire to rise up and the spirit of never giving up.

That begs the question: why, at the age of 40, Ronaldo can still maintain a superior appeal compared to any of his colleagues? Perhaps it is because of the rare combination of talent, will and iconic image.

Ronaldo is not just a goalscorer, he is also an example of ambition and never giving up. For millions, seeing him on the pitch means seeing living proof that age and challenges cannot stop the belief in greatness.

The Hong Kong Stadium on August 19th was not just a football match, but also a testament to the power of football to unite people. From Chongqing, Nanjing to Jeddah, from young students to middle-aged managers, all beat together for one man: Cristiano Ronaldo.

And when the final whistle blew, what remained was not only Al-Nassr’s victory, but also an affirmation: “Ronaldo fever” continues to spread, regardless of time or space. A star may age, but the aura of a legend - if big enough - will never fade.

Source: https://znews.vn/con-sot-ronaldo-post1578385.html