🚨 Rafael Leao on Cristiano Ronaldo’s message after wearing Portugal’s No.7 against Denmark:
“Cristiano called me after the game.
I answered and he didn’t even say congratulations.
He said, ‘So… number seven.’
I laughed.
‘Here we go.’
He said, ‘No, Rafa. You chose this life now.’
I told him, ‘It’s just a number.’
He said, ‘Good. Keep telling yourself that.’
Then he asked me something strange.
‘Do you know what Figo did to me?’
I said, ‘What?’
‘He left me a problem.’
I started laughing.
Cristiano said, ‘I’m serious. Luis wore 7 before me. When I was young, that number already had a face. Figo. Portugal captain. Ballon d’Or. One of the best players in the world.’
Then he said:
‘That’s how 7 works. Somebody wears it well enough that the next person receives expectations with the shirt.’
I said, ‘So now you’re giving me your problem?’
‘Exactly.’
He sounded far too pleased with himself.
I told him, ‘Your problem is much bigger than Figo’s.’
He laughed.
‘That’s not my fault.’
Then he became serious.
‘Listen, Rafa. Don’t wear 7 and spend your time wondering whether people think you’re worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s number. You’ll drive yourself crazy.’
I asked him what I should think about instead.
He said:
‘Make sure when Portugal need their best player, 7 is somewhere in the conversation.’
That one stayed with me.
Because Cristiano wasn’t telling me to become him.
How could I?
I’m Rafael Leao. My football is different.
He was telling me that certain numbers eventually stop being numbers.
They become responsibilities.
If you wear 18 and have a quiet game, people discuss your performance.
Wear seven for Portugal after Luís Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo and suddenly people discuss whether you understand what you’re wearing.
Before we hung up, Cristiano said:
‘Next game, I want something from you.’
I said, ‘A goal?’
‘No.’
‘An assist?’
‘No.’
I asked, ‘Then what?’
He said:
‘Be the best player on the pitch.’
I laughed.
‘That’s easy for you to say.’
He said, ‘Of course. I wore 7 for twenty years. You think I’m going to lower the standards now because you’re my friend?’
Then he said something I’ll probably remember every time I put the shirt on.
‘Figo didn’t give me seven so I could protect what he’d done with it. And whatever happens next, I don’t want the next seven protecting what I did either.’
‘Add something.’
Then he paused.
‘Otherwise wear another number.’
That’s Cristiano.
Apparently I didn’t inherit his number.
I inherited his expectations.”
🚨🇸🇪 Zlatan Ibrahimović on Premier League clubs celebrating Manchester City’s 115 charges:
🗣️ Zlatan: “I don’t blame them for celebrating these charges. (laughs) We are talking about a club that has traumatized almost every other club in this league for years. Pep came to the Premier League hearing everyone say it’s the most difficult league in the world, then he came and farmed the league like it was a Division Two league.
“He exposed them. He dominated them for years. So if they can’t win against Manchester City on the pitch, I understand why they are celebrating what is happening off it.
“But now they talk as if these charges were the reason Manchester City dominated. Like that was the main tactic City came with onto the pitch. Forgetting the beautiful football they played, how they controlled games and how they actually won those trophies.
“You can celebrate the charges, you can talk about them, you can wait for the verdict. But don’t rewrite football history. Manchester City dominated on the pitch. That is why they won all those trophies.”
To My Dear Friend, My Sister, Jazmine ♥️ @LydiahJazmine
Today, I just want to pause and give you your flowers💐
We’ve known each other for a long time. We started this journey around the same time, worked with many of the same people, and I’ve had the privilege of watching you grow into the incredible woman and artist you are today.
I may never fully understand every battle you’ve fought, but I understand enough to know that none of this came easy. I know what it takes for a woman to survive, grow, and succeed in an industry that has always been dominated by men. I know the sacrifices. I know the tears, the disappointments, the loneliness, the pressure, and the strength it takes to wake up every day and keep believing in yourself.
That’s why I celebrate you. I celebrate your resilience. I celebrate your discipline. I celebrate your consistency. I celebrate your courage. I celebrate your kindness too. Some people mistake kindness for weakness. Some people take good hearts for granted. But never let this world harden you. Your kindness is one of the reasons you’ve remained so deeply loved.
I’ve also watched you support other artists without expecting anything in return. That speaks volumes about the kind of woman you are.
But what I admire most is that you never stopped investing in yourself. You never stopped working. You never stopped believing that you deserved more. Even when people doubted you, criticized you, or underestimated you, you kept showing up. You kept building. Brick by brick. Year after year.
And today, you stand as a woman who can proudly say, “I built this.” Not many people understand what it means to build something from absolutely nothing. They see the lights, the applause, the success but they never see the sleepless nights, the disappointments, the sacrifices, the fear, or the faith it took to get there.
I see it. And I want you to know how proud Iam of you.
Never let any anyone make you question your worth. Never let anyone diminish what you’ve accomplished. Keep walking with your head held high because everything you have, you’ve earned through hardwork, persistence and grace.
I love you 🌹
SHEE