Indonesia
Cristiano Ronaldo set social media ablaze after he was reportedly heard uttering “bismillah” during Portugal’s match against Croatia at the 2026 World Cup. A contest Portugal won in dramatic fashion, 2-1. The match itself was already gripping: Ronaldo’s goal was initially disallowed for offside, as was one from Croatia, making the eventual victory all the more theatrical.
Beyond the intensity of the match, megastar Cristiano Ronaldo drew considerable attention in his own right, particularly in the 11th minute as he lined up a free kick, and again in the 66th minute ahead of a penalty. In both moments, cameras caught Ronaldo appearing to mouth what many identified as “bismillah,” an Arabic phrase meaning “in the name of God” or “with God’s permission.”
The footage sparked widespread discussion, given that the word is strongly associated with Islam and Ronaldo is a professed Catholic.
Across social media, many users praised Ronaldo, though debate also erupted over whether it is permissible for a non-Muslim to utter the phrase. Others suggested that Ronaldo has simply grown accustomed to Arab communicative culture after three years playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. Weighing in on the phenomenon, Professor M. Mas’ud Said. Professor of Government Science at Universitas Islam Malang (UNISMA) and a Muslim scholar offered his perspective from both a theological and sociological standpoint. From a theological (akidah) perspective, he noted, Islam is a divine religion (agama samawi) brought by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the purpose of conveying peace and salvation. As such, there is no prohibition against invoking the name of Allah before any activity or endeavour, whether great or small.
What Ronaldo did can also be viewed through a sociological lens, Prof. Mas’ud explained, in that every individual including sports stars inevitably influences and is influenced by their surrounding environment.
“Everyone, including sports stars and public figures, influences and is influenced by those around them and by their environment. That includes Ronaldo’s interactions with his vast fanbase and the Saudi Arabian environment over these years. There is undoubtedly an environmental factor at play,” Mas’ud Said told tvOnenews.com via WhatsApp on Friday afternoon (3/7/2026). He further elaborated on the concept of milieu defined in the Indonesian dictionary (KBBI) as one’s surrounding environment as a process capable of gradually shaping an individual’s consciousness.
Within the milieu process, the environment functions as the backdrop against which a person grows, engages in social interaction, and builds social relationships. All of which ultimately shape that individual’s behaviour and experiences. In Ronaldo’s case, his milieu can be traced directly to his career in the Saudi Pro League and his life in Saudi Arabia alongside his partner and children.
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic-rooted environment, Arabic as the language of daily communication, and its distinctly Middle Eastern culture have all left their mark on Ronaldo to the point where hearing and using Arabic phrases has become entirely natural to him.
Mas’ud Said also pointed to what he described as a champions character within Ronaldo, a form of professional spirituality defined by rigorous discipline and an unyielding drive to be the best. “Within a champion’s character, there is much of what we might call professional spirituality, the training, the fierce desire to be the greatest.”
“There is something openly and widely recognised about Ronaldo, his closeness to his mother. This is a form of modern spirituality that is clearly visible in this megastar.” “Perhaps his mother once told him: ‘Pray, and strive with all your might to be the best,'” Mas’ud Said reflected. It is for this reason, he concluded, that the utterance of “bismillah” is best understood as Ronaldo’s natural expression, one entirely consistent with the sociological phase he has entered as an integral part of Saudi Arabian football. (ism)
This article was originally published on tvonenews.com on Saturday, 4 July 2026 — 00:28 WIB
Article title: Cristiano Ronaldo Ucap ‘Bismillah’ saat Bela Portugal Piala Dunia 2026, Kebiasaan Main di Liga Pro Saudi?
Link: https://www.tvonenews.com/bola/bolatainment/451200-cristiano-ronaldo-ucap-bismillah-saat-bela-portugal-piala-dunia-2026-kebiasaan-main-di-liga-pro-saudi
By: tvOnenews.com Team | Editor: Ines Melia
