Cristiano Ronaldo greets cheering Toronto fans from hotel balcony
There was so much pandemonium in Toronto on Canada Day that you'd think royalty was in town.
Close, it was Cristiano Ronaldo.
The world's most-followed person on social media (almost 700,000,000 Instagram followers) arrived in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Portugal's blockbuster FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match against Croatia, and fans went absolutely nuts.
A large crowd of supporters began to gather in the middle of the afternoon outside Toronto's Delta Hotel, where Portugal is staying, to greet the 41-year-old.
And after hours and hours of standing in the hot sun, patience paid off.
Just after 9 p.m., Ronaldo stepped onto a large balcony overlooking Bremner Blvd, smiling, waving and pointing to supporters below. The Portuguese captain spent a few minutes with teammates out there before heading inside.
Not long afterward, the 41-year-old posted on social media: "Toronto, estamos prontos!" ("Toronto, we are ready.")
It's been a hero's welcome for the man known as CR7 since he touched down at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Toronto, estamos prontos! pic.twitter.com/AwpPkOflnW
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 30, 2026
A convoy of Portuguese supporters stopped traffic on Highway 427 as their team bus made its way into Toronto, while hundreds more gathered at Centennial Park ahead of their final practice.
Thursday's knockout game will mark the second time Ronaldo has played in Toronto.
His first came in August 2009, when Real Madrid routed Toronto FC 5-1 during a preseason friendly at BMO Field. Ronaldo scored one of Real Madrid's five goals before being substituted off in the second half.
If Portuguese supporters believe in good omens, Ronaldo has never played a match in Toronto without scoring!
The atmosphere at Toronto Stadium is expected to be electric on Thursday night, with both Portugal and Croatia having massive communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
Portugal midfielder Vitinha spoke about the reception the team has received since arriving in Toronto during a media availability on Wednesday.
Portugal 🇵🇹 midfielder Vitinha on support for his team from the people of Toronto 🎙️
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 1, 2026
"I know it means a lot for Toronto to have the Portuguese national team here – we're going to do everything in our power to make them proud." pic.twitter.com/buRp7BtdNS
"I know it means a lot for Toronto to have the Portuguese national team here. We're going to do everything in our power to make them proud," Vitinha said.
This Portugal-Croatia match is estimated to draw a global audience of one billion viewers, which would make it the most-watched sporting event ever on Canadian soil.
The game will kick off at 7 p.m. with one of these two teams going home.
@AlNassrTribune
