A Dream Fulfilled: Witnessing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Historic 900th Goal Live

Olanipekun Oluwabamise
5 min readSep 11, 2024

--

Indeed, I am just a random boy who is exited about achieving one of his dreams. Let me tell you about it! lol Thursday, 5th September 2024 will forever remain in my heart as a reminder that dreams do come true, and witnessing one of my idols reach such a historic milestone made me realize that absolutely, nothing is impossible.

It was a day I will never forget — Thursday, the 5th of September 2024. I stood amidst the roaring crowd at Benfica’s Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, as I witnessed my idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, scored his historic 900th career goal. It was a surreal moment, one that I had dreamed of for years, ever since I was a young boy growing up in Nigeria.

A Long Journey to a Lifelong Dream

My love for football began at a young age, and Cristiano made me fall in love with Manchester United as a football club and like many others, Cristiano Ronaldo became my inspiration. His relentless pursuit of greatness, unparalleled work ethic, and ability to rise to the occasion in every match have always inspired me. There are numerous occassions but the ones i can never forget are those champions league night in school where we keep shouting (ororo, a nickname for Ronaldo in Nigeria) base on his incredible performances. For me, Ronaldo wasn’t just a football player — he symbolized what it means to dream big, work hard, and believe in oneself.

Growing up, the idea of watching Ronaldo play live in a stadium seemed like a distant fantasy. Living in Nigeria, I could only watch him on TV or follow his highlights on the internet. But I never stopped dreaming. Despite the obstacles and challenges I faced,even after arriving portugal, having to buy tickets for three differenct matches and he did not play, I always held onto the belief that one day I would watch him in person, doing what he does best — playing footbal, scoring goals and making history.

When I moved to Porto, Portugal, I knew that I was closer than ever to realizing this dream. As you all know, Portugal is Ronaldo’s homeland, and I was finally in the same country as my football hero. The moment I realised that Portugal would be playing at Benfica’s stadium in Lisbon for the UEFA nations league, I knew that I had to be there. More like gambling, I was not sure wether Cristiano will be there or not. As the Lord will have it what I didn’t know was that it would turn out to be one of the most historic nights of his career.

The Historic Night: Witnessing Greatness

I arrived Lisboa early around 8:30am so I would be able to work and in the evening go see my dreams come true. I arrived the stadium around 6pm and the atmosphere inside Estádio da Luz was electric. Fans had gathered to see one of the national as well as the greatest footballers of all time take the field. CR7 was just one goal away from reaching the monumental milestone of 900 career goals (ALL on Videos).

One of the highlight of the day, was also seeing a legend of the game, Pepe being honourned after his retirement from football. As the team is being introduced I shouted alongside other when the name of number 7 was called. As the game progressed, every time Ronaldo touched the ball, the crowd shouts SIUUUUUUUU. Then, in the 34th minute, it happened. Ronaldo found himself in the right place at the right time, receiving a perfect pass inside the box from Nuno Mendes. With the poise and precision that has defined his career, he slotted the ball into the back of the net. The stadium erupted in celebration. Fans waved their flags, sang his name, and cheered louder than I had ever heard before.

I mean Cristiano Ronaldo……

I could hardly believe what I had just witnessed. Cristiano Ronaldo, my football idol, had scored his 900th goal right in front of my eyes. The emotions were overwhelming — joy, pride, and a sense of fulfillment all mixed together. This was more than just a goal. It was a testament to years of dedication, sacrifice, and a dream come true.

Dreams Do Come True: The Power of Belief

Sitting here almost a week after, I reflect on that unforgettable night, I’m reminded of the power of dreams. For years, I had held onto the belief that one day I would watch Ronaldo live, even when it seemed impossible.

Let me be pespire to aspire small lol. This experience has taught me that no dream is too big or too far out of reach. Whether it’s a childhood ambition or a personal goal, the key is to never stop believing. Life has a way of aligning opportunities and making the impossible possible if you stay committed, work hard, and maintain faith in yourself.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is the perfect example of this. He was once a young boy from Madeira with a dream to become the best footballer in the world. Through sheer determination and endless hours of practice, he made that dream a reality. His 900th goal is not just a personal achievement — it’s an inspiration to millions of people around the globe that greatness is attainable if you are willing to chase after it.

Advice for Dreamers

For anyone who has a dream, no matter how big or small, my advice is simple: don’t give up. Keep working towards it, even when the road gets tough. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and push you to be better. Take small steps towards your goals, and remember that setbacks are part of the journey. Most importantly, keep believing.

Dreams may not always come true overnight, but with persistence and a strong belief in yourself, they will come true in ways that are often even more extraordinary than you could have imagined. I am living proof of that.

Watching Cristiano Ronaldo score his 900th goal live in the stadium wasn’t just a dream come true for me — it was a moment that reminded me of the limitless possibilities that life holds when you dare to dream and work towards those dreams.

So, dream big, work hard, and never stop believing. Your own version of a 900th goal is out there waiting for you to achieve it. Mine is also there waiting for me.

Do i still have other dreams? Yes to see him score his 1000th goal, to see him lift trophies, to see him and get his autograph.

--

--

No responses yet