Brazilian football icon Ronaldo praised how the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was organized, highlighting the overall experience as seamless and impressive. He emphasized the beauty of the stadiums, the absence of traffic gridlock, the ability to watch two or three matches in a single day, and the high level of security that made fans feel safe throughout their stay. For him, the tournament stood out as a unifying event that brought people from diverse backgrounds together around the sport they love. He described the event as a landmark occasion that resonated beyond the field, touching people around the world and showcasing the host nation in a positive light.
Ronaldo also spoke about the World Cup’s impact on the Arab world. He noted that there were initial doubts, but those concerns gave way to lessons in hospitality and cultural exchange. He observed how participating countries and fans embraced a foreign culture with openness and curiosity, which contributed to a broader sense of tolerance and mutual respect among audiences from different regions. The overall mood, in his view, went beyond competition and became a celebration of global friendship through football.
The tournament began on November 20 and continued through December 18, 2022. It unfolded across eight stadiums located in five cities, with the grand finale set to take place at the National Stadium. This arrangement allowed fans to experience a variety of venues and atmospheres within a compact geographic footprint, enabling easy travel between matches and a dense schedule of high-profile encounters for enthusiasts who followed the action closely across multiple days.
As the World Cup progressed, the field narrowed to the final stages, with Croatia facing Argentina in a highly anticipated semi-final that was scheduled for December 13 and would commence at 22:00 Moscow time. A day later, on December 14, the second semi-final would pit France against Morocco, also kicking off at 22:00 Moscow time. These matchups underscored the tournament’s diverse narrative, highlighting traditional powerhouses as well as emerging stories from teams that had captivated fans with their performances, resilience, and tactical ingenuity throughout the competition.
Beyond the field, Ronaldo reflected on the broader implications of the tournament for the sport and its players. He touched on the future trajectories of marquee stars, including Neymar, whose decisions following the 2022 World Cup drew interest from fans and pundits alike. Ronaldo’s perspective emphasized how the next chapters for such players would be shaped by both personal goals and the evolving landscape of international football, where club commitments, national team duties, and evolving media ecosystems intersect to influence career paths and legacies without losing sight of the joy and inspiration that football brings to countless supporters around the world.