Two legends are about to share a football field one more time, and the world is paying attention. Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric have defined an era of the game.
On one side, Ronaldo will make his 232nd appearance for Portugal. On the other, Modric steps out for his 202nd cap for Croatia. Both men are past 40 and running out of World Cup moments.
For a lot of fans, this round of 32 clash in Toronto feels like the last time these two icons will face each other on a stage this big.
Toronto has already caught Ronaldo fever. Portugal landed at Pearson Airport on Wednesday and the city lost its mind a little. Fans packed highways, filled downtown streets and climbed on each other's shoulders just to catch a glimpse of the Portuguese captain rolling through town.
Joe Camporeale - USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
IShowSpeed Desperate to Make It to Toronto for Ronaldo
Not everyone made it to the city in time. IShowSpeed, the popular YouTuber and one of Ronaldo's most vocal supporters, hit a wall when his flight out of San Francisco got canceled.
With the match closing in, he went straight to X looking for any option he could find.
"Who has a jet or plane in san francisco???? i need to get to toronto my plane got cancelled and now i can't see ronaldo play this is so bad please helpppppoppp," he wrote.
Speed will need a miracle to get there in time. But the bigger picture here is Portugal itself.
Roberto Martínez's side came through Group K in second place behind Colombia, managing one win and two draws. The performances haven't exactly silenced the doubters and the team's reliance on a 41-year-old Ronaldo keeps coming up.
Croatia is a serious test, and the winner faces Spain in the next stage after their 3-0 win against Austria in the Round of 32.
